In In Roman times, fulling was conducted by slaves working the cloth while ankle deep in tubs of human The second function of fulling was to thicken cloth by matting the fibres together to give it strength and increase waterproofing (From the medieval period, the fulling of cloth often was undertaken in a Driving stocks were pivoted so that the foot (the head of the hammer) struck the cloth almost horizontally.








Attached is a page that you can print out and keep handy as a reference on how to full your cloth after you have taken it off the loom. Also, chemical finishing may protect the cotton fabric against environmental condition such as protection from microbiological degradation.



The 'foot' was approximately triangular in shape, with notches to assist the turning of the cloth. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. textile: Fulling Also called felting or milling, fulling is a process that increases the thickness and compactness of wool by subjecting it to moisture, heat, friction, and pressure until shrinkage of 10 to 25 percent is achieved.




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Easy care or durable press flame retardant, Water repellent etc.)



This fabric can be made by felting, by knitting, by weaving, by crocheting, by knotless netting, or any textile construction technique that can use wool fiber or …

The stock had a tub holding the liquor and cloth.

The fulling mill invented during the Middle Ages was… Originally, fulling was carried out by the pounding of the woollen cloth with a club, or the fuller's feet or hands.

There was a fulling mill established at Temple Guiting, Gloucestershire which was documented in the Thomas Woods (2005), "How the Catholic Church Built Western Civilization", The Doomsday Book.



After fulling, textiles are smaller, thicker, and much more durable, with the added bonus of being largely waterproofed. Felting, in my words, is the process of producing felt, a textile or fabric that by combining and compressing the loose fibers or hair. Fulling is an ancient process, and examples of traditional fulled textiles can be found all over the world, from the thick felted tents of Tibet to the soft felts worn in the …

Editor:Thomas Hinde.

Englands Heritage, Then and now.Book Club Associates, 1985. This article was most recently revised and updated by



Also called felting or milling, fulling is a process that increases the thickness and compactness of wool by subjecting it to moisture, heat, friction, and pressure until shrinkage of 10 to 25 percent is achieved. Generally, the chemical finishing of cotton fabric improves the appearance (e.g.

By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica.Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Page 107.

History at your fingertips The practice died out with the modernisation of the industrial revolution. You can use fibers that are synthetic or natural. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Shrinkage occurs in both the warp and weft, producing a smooth, tightly… Fulling a silk scarf. [Middle English fullen, from Old French fouler, from Vulgar Latin *fullāre, from Latin fullō, fuller; see bhel- in Indo-European roots.]





ing, fulls To increase the density and usually the thickness of (cloth) by shrinking and beating or pressing. Felting, consolidation of certain fibrous materials by the application of heat, moisture, and mechanical action, causing the interlocking, or matting, of fibres possessing felting properties. However, they don’t felt exactly the same way.

Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Fulling involves two processes: scouring and milling (thickening).

Home. noun felted material, either woven or felt fabric.

the act or process of making felt. the materials of which felt is made. However, the cloth was taken out about every two hours to undo plaits and wrinkles.

Here’s the PDF – Fulling.

Get kids back-to-school ready with Expedition: Learn! Shrinkage occurs in both the warp and weft, producing a smooth, tightly……mechanization of the process of fulling (i.e., shrinking and thickening) of cloth illustrates ways that technology changed the nature of work. Fulling your handwoven fabric. Up to the 13th century, fulling had been accomplished by trampling the cloth or beating it with a fuller’s bat. This was somewhat rounded on the side away from the hammer, so that the cloth gradually turned, ensuring that all parts of it were milled evenly. Fulling (also known as tucking or walking (Scots: waukin, hence often spelled waulking in Scottish English)), is a step in woollen clothmaking which involves the cleansing of cloth (particularly wool) to eliminate oils, dirt, and other impurities, and to make it thicker. Mercerizing) and or improves serviceability (e.g. Finishing. Fulling is a process used to treat woven or knitted wool textiles; the resulting fabric is said to be “fulled” or “felted.”.