Method of making prefastened absorbent articles having a stretch band

A method of making a prefastened disposable absorbent article which defines a front waist region, a back waist region, a crotch region which extends between and connects said waist regions, a pair of opposed side edges and a pair of opposed waist edges, said method comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a waist panel which defines a first surface, a second surface and a pair of opposed side margins and which includes a pair of primary fasteners attached to said first surface on said opposed side margins;
• b) attaching a stretch band to said second surface of said waist panel wherein said stretch band includes a pair of secondary fasteners on opposite end portions of said stretch band which are releasably engaged with said second surface of said waist panel;
• c) attaching said second surface of said waist panel to an outer cover of said absorbent article in said back waist region of said absorbent article wherein said outer cover defines a width which is less than a distance between said secondary fasteners on said stretch band and wherein said stretch band is slidably contained between said outer cover and said waist panel;
• d) attaching an absorbent chassis to said outer cover to provide said disposable absorbent article;
• e) folding said disposable absorbent article about a fold line extending in a lateral direction through said crotch region of said absorbent article thereby positioning said waist regions of said absorbent article in a facing relationship;
• and
• f) releasably engaging said primary fasteners with an outer surface of said absorbent article in said front waist region of said absorbent article to provide said prefastened absorbent article wherein said secondary fasteners on said stretch band are configured to releasably engage said front waist region to conform said waist regions to a wearer's body after said prefastened absorbent article is pulled on over a wearer's hips.