Fuller

Fuller is a term that refers to a person who fulls cloth, that is, who moistens, shrinks, and finishes cloth or clothing. The term is derived from the Old English fullere, from the Latin fullo. The process of fulling involves three steps: scouring, milling, and finishing.

Scouring is the process of cleaning the cloth to remove oils, dirt, and other impurities. This is typically done with a mixture of water and a mild detergent.

Milling, also known as tucking or walking, is the process of thickening the cloth. This is done by moistening the cloth and then beating or pressing it. This causes the fibers of the cloth to mat together, resulting in a thicker and stronger material.

Finishing is the final step in the fulling process. This involves brushing the cloth to raise the nap, trimming the nap to a uniform length, and pressing the cloth to smooth and flatten it.

Fullers were important figures in the textile industry from the Middle Ages through the Industrial Revolution. With the advent of industrial fulling machines in the 19th century, the role of the fuller gradually declined.

See also

• Textile industry
• Industrial Revolution
• Cloth production

References

Fuller Resources
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