Multi-layered woven fabrics are widely used in soft body armor to provide ballistic resistance. In this study, we suggest a method to increase the energy absorption by narrow fabric effect. Five kinds of ballistic panel were prepared by cutting, slitting, and so on. The width of the strips was determined based on the size of the induced trauma (back face signature on oil clay); they were stacked at either bias or warp directions. The ballistic performance (NIJ Standard-0101.04, Type IIIA) of narrow fabrics was compared to that of wide fabric panels. Lab-scale dropping projectile and NIJ Standard tests showed that the penetration depth of the trauma was less in narrow fabrics than in wide plain fabrics. The width of the trauma was also considerably smaller than the control. It is caused by free edge effect of relatively narrow strips of woven fabrics.