Abstract: A method for applying one or more curved composite elastic strips to a gatherable base material to elasticize portions of the base material comprises elongating a first strip of elastic material and joining a second strip of less elongated material to the elongated first strip in a longitudinally extending and laterally off-set relationship thereto to form a tensioned composite strip of elastic material. The second strip of material is sufficiently flexible in the plane of the composite strip and is sufficiently resistant to compression so that, upon release of the tensioning forces, the composite strip will curve laterally, i.e., in its own plane. The tensioned composite strip is adhered to the base material and in one mode of operation the tensioned forces are released only after adhering the composite strip to the base material. In such case, the base material is displaced somewhat by curving of the tensioned composite strip and may be pleated or otherwise rendered more readily displaceable.

Abstract: A method for applying self-adhering elastic strips to a flexible base material includes adhering a tensioned first strip of the self-adhering elastic material to a flexible base material by sandwiching a less-or untensioned strip of the self-adhering elastic material between the tensioned strip and the base material. Tensioning the first strip in order to impart a sufficiently high degree of elasticization to the base material reduces the inherent strength of adhesion of the strip to the base material. Accordingly, the less-or untensioned intermediate strip insures good adhesion strength of the composite of the two (or more) strips to the base material. The resulting article comprises one having elasticized portions formed by adherence of the tensioned composite strip of self-adhering elastic material thereto.