Abstract: A nonwoven composite structure having a plurality of layers of nonwoven fiber batting bonded in laminating relation to one another by a localized adhesive disposed between the layers. The adhesive between the layers of fiber batting preferably extends across the interface between the adjacent layers so as to at least partially penetrate each of the layers thereby enhancing the bond strength between the layers. The bond strength between the layers and the uniformity of the resultant bonded structure may be further enhanced by forcibly extending fibers from at least one layer of batting through the material forming the adhesive such as by needling prior to activation of the adhesive such that a portion of the fibers forming the layers of batting extends across the adhesive between the bonded layers.