Stabilization of slit absorbent fabric edges

A process for stabilizing cut edges of an absorbent fabric containing at least about 45%, and less than about 90% cellulosic or natural component, and a fusible component present or added at least within a margin along the cut edges, comprising the steps of

• intermittently fusing said margin by applying heat and pressure to said margin to melt the fusible component in discrete fused areas extending at least along, across or at angle to the cut edges, and
• maintaining free areas between the discrete fused areas substantially free of fusing,
• wherein the fused areas transition in a sloping and progressively less fused periphery toward the free areas,
• wherein said margin optionally extend over substantially the entire surface of the fabric,
• wherein the discrete fused areas comprise less than about 33%, of said margin,
• wherein the free areas comprise at least about 50% of their original thickness, and
• wherein the fabric maintains greater than 50% of its overall original thickness.