a process for making a fabric to be used as reinforcing material in rubber products like automotive radiator hoses comprises : first warp - knitting a mesh textile fabric having a lengthwise extending main fabric body formed in an open mesh stitch pattern and lengthwise extending fabric selvedges respectively adjoining opposite side margins of the main fabric body for defining the lengthwise side edges of the fabric , each selvedge being formed with a sufficient width to naturally lay substantially flat in an open - width condition of the fabric against any tendency of the side margins of the main fabric body to induce curling of the selvedges ; applying a stiffening resin to the mesh textile fabric prior to passing the mesh textile fabric through a tenter frame for heat setting the mesh textile fabric ; and then passing the mesh textile fabric only once through a tenter frame for drying the resin and for heat setting the mesh textile fabric . the stiffening resin used is preferably melamine and the fabric is preferably passed through the tenter frame at speeds up to thirty to forty yards per minute .