Method of making a nonwoven web

A method of making a nonwoven web comprising:

• directing a fibrous nonwoven spunbond matt in a machine direction, said fibrous nonwoven spunbond matt having a first width in a cross-direction;
• pattern bonding the fibrous nonwoven spunbond matt and forming a pattern bonded nonwoven web, and wherein said pattern comprises (i) discrete individual bond points having a maximum dimension of 1.25 mm or less and an aspect ratio less than 3:1, (ii) macro-elements formed by the individual bond points in a sequent pattern and wherein the macro-elements extend substantially in the machine-direction and have a machine-direction length between about 4 and about 25 mm, (iii) unbonded pockets adjacent the macro-elements having an area between about 20 and about 50 mm2, (iv) an overall bond area of between about 5% and about 20%;
• and
• applying a first stretching force to the pattern bonded nonwoven web in the cross-direction whereby the pattern bonded nonwoven web stretches in the cross direction and has a second width in the cross-direction, the second cross direction width being greater than the first cross direction width;
• and
• applying a second stretching force to the pattern bonded nonwoven web in the machine direction whereby the pattern bonded nonwoven web necks and has a third width in the cross-direction, the third cross direction width being less than the second cross direction width, and wherein some but less than 2% of the individual bond points are ruptured after both the first and second stretching forces have been applied.