PURPOSE: To obtain the subject nonwoven fabric having high softness and three- dimensional formability by aligning continuous fiber reinforcing materials in one direction on a short fiber mat containing polyether imide short fibers, applying a solvent for polyether imide to the mat and drying the product.

CONSTITUTION: Short fibers at least containing polyether imide short fibers are dispersed in water and deposited on a water-passing base cloth. A reinforcing material composed of an inorganic filament is aligned in one direction on the obtained mat at a volume ratio of 30-65%. A solvent for polyether imide (e.g. methylene chloride or trichloromethane) is impregnated in the mat by spraying, etc., and the product is dried. The polyether imide short fiber is dissolved and bonded at the mutual crossing points and crossing points with other fibers by this process to keep the unidirectional orientation of the continuous fiber in the form of a sheet.