Moire, less often moiré, is a textile with a wavy (watered) appearance produced mainly from silk, but also wool, cotton and rayon. The watered appearance is usually created by the finishing technique called calendering. Moiré effects are also achieved by certain weaves, such as varying the tension in the warp and weft of the weave. Silk treated in this way is sometimes called watered silk.
Moire ribbons
Gown of moire or watered silk, 1840–44
Peter the Great wearing the insignia of the Order of St. Andrew and a moire ribbon sash
Roger Cardinal Mahony (left) wearing a ferraiolo of watered silk
In textile manufacturing, finishing refers to the processes that convert the woven or knitted cloth into a usable material and more specifically to any process performed after dyeing the yarn or fabric to improve the look, performance, or "hand" (feel) of the finish textile or clothing. The precise meaning depends on context.
Textile finishing machinery, Red Bridge Mills, Ainsworth, 1983