Process for continuous thermosol dyeing of textile fabrics

A textile fabric formed of synthetic fibrous material or blends with natural fibers to which dyestuffs have been applied is subjected to a thermosol heat treatment by directing the fabric supported on an air permeable conveyor through a heated oven while directing heated air downwardly through the fabric and through the underlying supporting conveyor and while at predetermined longitudinally spaced locations as the fabric travels through the oven directing heated air upwardly through the open mesh conveyor and into contact with the fabric so as to lift portions of the fabric from the conveyor to permit free shrinkage and bulking of the fabric while avoiding distortion of the fabric or obtaining an undesirable ironed surface appearance as would occur if the fabric were pinned to the conveyor. This method also achieves very rapid and efficient heat transfer to the fabric and thus avoids the extreme time and temperature conditions which result in harsh treatment of the fabric.