Fulled

Fulled is a historical term used in textiles to describe woolen cloth that has undergone the finishing process known as fulling. It is the past tense and past participle of the verb to full, meaning the cloth has been treated to become denser, thicker, and more compact through felting.

Etymology and context

The word derives from Old English fulian or fulian, related to making fabric “full” or thick. Fulling is a traditional step in woolen cloth production that predates modern synthetic finishing methods.

Process

In traditional fulling, woven cloth is dampened and treated with cleansing agents such as lather or alkali. The fabric is then worked in water—often in a fulling mill powered by water or by hand—where mechanical action, heat, and moisture cause wool fibers to interlock. This causes the cloth to shrink slightly and become firmer, smoother, and more water-resistant. After fulling, the fabric may be further processed by shearing and, in some cases, brushing to raise a nap.

Historical significance

Fulling was central to medieval and early modern wool production. Fullers, or fulers, operated in towns near rivers where mills could provide the necessary power. Fulled cloth was typically of higher quality and durability, forming a major part of the woolen industry’s output.

Modern usage

Today, fulling is largely automated and integrated into contemporary textile finishing. The term fulled survives mainly in historical writing or in descriptions of traditional practices. It is sometimes confused with filled or fulfilled, but in textile contexts it specifically refers to the fulling process and its results.