the form of belt 12 upon which the precursor web p is positioned for pre entangling by entangling manifold 14 the entangling apparatus of fig1 further includes an imaging and patterning drum 18 comprising a three dimensional image transfer device for effecting imaging and patterning of the lightly entangled precursor web the image transfer device includes a moveable imaging surface which moves relative to a plurality of entangling manifolds 22 which act in cooperation with three dimensional elements defined by the imaging surface of the image transfer device to effect imaging and patterning of the fabric being formed manufacture of a durable nonwoven fabric embodying the principles of the present invention is initiated by providing the precursor nonwoven web preferably in the form of a 100 flame retardant polyester or polyester blend the use of the polyester desirably provides drape which upon treatment with the specific binder formulation listed herein results in a material with improved flame retardant properties at relatively low cost during invention development fibrous layers comprising flame retardant polyester standard polyester p aramid n aramid melamine and modacrylic fibers in blend ratios between about 100 by weight to 20 by weight minor component to 80 by weight major component were found effective such blending of the layers in the precursor web was also found to yield aesthetically pleasing color variations due to the differential absorption of dyes during the optional dyeing steps after formation and integration of the imaged and patterned nonwoven fabric a flame retardant binder finish is applied the flame retardant binder finish includes chemistries to render the treated fabric the ability to resist advanced thermal degradation and flame progression when exposed to combustion temperatures a preferred chemistry employed herein is based on a halogenated derivative of a.