A heating element includes a bottom layer, a web consisting of a carbon nanotube (CNT) yarn wherein the web is affixed to a first side of the bottom layer, and an encapsulating layer positioned on the web and the first side of the bottom layer. A method for making a heating element includes providing a bottom layer, inserting a plurality of pegs into the bottom layer such that a portion of each peg protrudes from the bottom layer, weaving a CNT yarn around the protruding portions of the plurality of pegs to form a CNT web, affixing the CNT web to the bottom layer, and encapsulating the CNT web and the bottom layer to form the heating element.