A nonwoven fabric is produced by forming a batt comprising staple fibers oriented primarily in the fill direction, drafting the batt in the warp direction in a first warp-drafting zone, needling the drafted batt, drafting the needled batt in the warp direction in a second warp-drafting zone, and drafting the warp-drafted, needled batt in the fill direction in a fill-drafting zone. A fabric, apparatus for producing the fabric, and a method for fusing a nonwoven batt are provided.