Aqueous cellulosic binder comprising modified cellulose (carboxymethylcellulose and/or sodium carboxymethylcellulose), water, and optionally binder modifier (crosslinking agent and/or wet strength agent); with a weight ratio of water modified cellulose of 99.9:0.1 to 1,000:500, with a weight ratio of binder modifier:modified cellulose of 1:2 to 1:1,000; wherein crosslinking agent comprises carboxylic acid having two or more carboxyl groups; and wherein wet strength agent comprises a reactive functional group (halide, chloride, fluoride, hydroxyl). A method of making aqueous cellulosic binder comprising contacting modified cellulose with water to form modified cellulose solution; and optionally contacting modified cellulose solution with binder modifier to form aqueous cellulosic binder. A nonwoven fabric comprising fiber web (85-99.9 wt. %); and cured cellulosic binder (0.1-15 wt. %). An article formed from the nonwoven fabric. A method of making nonwoven fabric comprising forming fiber web; contacting web with aqueous cellulosic binder to form binder impregnated fiber web; and curing to form the nonwoven fabric.