A unidirectional geotextile fabric for use in reinforcement of earthen retaining walls, embankments, slopes and related structures. The fabric is an open grid of high modulus of elasticity strands extending in the weft direction and strands of comparatively lower modulus of elasticity material extending in the warp direction. The fabric is preferably coated with a curable resinous material of sufficient thickness to protect the glass strands from breaking as the fabric is rolled onto cores and unrolled at the job site. When laying the fabric, a roll of the fabric is placed at one end of the face of the earthen structure being constructed and simply unrolled in a direction generally parallel to the structure's face. Because the high modulus strands of the fabric are the weft strands they extend and inhibit soil movement in a direction substantially perpendicular to the face of the structure.