Abstract: A method for making a soft trim composite, and a resulting improved soft trim composite, used for example as a motor vehicle interior trim component or a seat covering component, comprises laminating a surface covering onto an expanded cellular layer, where a cellular layer is provided, to form a bilaminate, and placing a heat barrier insert, comprising nonwoven fibers coated on one side with thermoplastic resin in a mold between the bilaminate and a substrate created in a molding step. The heat barrier insert dissipates heat from substrate molding, permitting a substantially uniform and complete bonded relation to be achieved between substrate and insert, as well as between insert and bilaminate, virtually simultaneously with creation of the substrate, and without causing substantial damage to the bilaminate. An improved soft trim composite made by the method described, is also provided.