 Rarely is a fabric suitable for making into clothing etc. as soon as it has been woven or knitted. Usually it is subjected to a series of finishing processes, which give it the properties necessary for its purpose.  Finishing processes usually have 3 basic purposes: - To eliminate deficiencies in the fabric - To produce stable dimensions - To include special properties

Singeing Mercerising Carbonising Bleaching Stentering Fire Retardment Water Repellency/ Waterproofing Permanent Press Stain Resistance Mildrew/Rot-proof There are hundreds of varieties of finishing techniques used throughout the world:

Think about some of the things around your house – what finishing treatments might they have had