Abstract: A dry laid nonwoven needlepunched fabric held together by elastic weld joints and a method for making the same. The fabric is made with binder fibers that have been modified to include an elastomeric component. Binder staple fibers and higher melt staple fibers are mixed, dry laid, layered and needlepunched to form a flat web. The web may be put through a structuring loom to produce a fabric with a textured outer surface formed by loops or raised strands of the higher melt fiber. The fabric is thermal bonded so as to form the weld joints that hold the higher melt fibers into the base of the fabric. The elasticity of the weld joints results in an elastic fabric.