Restructuring (Schedule of Restructuring Charges) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring and other		$ 9,317	$ 3,747	$ 68,174
Termination And Other Costs [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring and other		7,371	3,697	56,271
Impairments of Plant, Equipment, and Investment [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring and other		1,750	1,243	18,527
Benefit Plan Curtailment/ Settlement [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring and other	1,200	196	(1,193)	(6,624)
Paper Machine Clothing [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring and other		3,260	3,705	66,941
Paper Machine Clothing [Member] | Termination And Other Costs [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring and other		3,260	1,710	53,803
Paper Machine Clothing [Member] | Impairments of Plant, Equipment, and Investment [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring and other			1,243	13,678
Paper Machine Clothing [Member] | Benefit Plan Curtailment/ Settlement [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring and other			752	(540)
Engineered Fabrics [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring and other		2,420	1,057	4,311
Engineered Fabrics [Member] | Termination And Other Costs [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring and other		2,224	1,057	(906)
Engineered Fabrics [Member] | Impairments of Plant, Equipment, and Investment [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring and other				4,849
Engineered Fabrics [Member] | Benefit Plan Curtailment/ Settlement [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring and other		196		368
Engineered Composites [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring and other		57	930	291
Engineered Composites [Member] | Termination And Other Costs [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring and other		57	930	291
Engineered Composites [Member] | Impairments of Plant, Equipment, and Investment [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring and other
Engineered Composites [Member] | Benefit Plan Curtailment/ Settlement [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring and other
PrimaLoft Products [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring and other				61
PrimaLoft Products [Member] | Termination And Other Costs [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring and other				61
PrimaLoft Products [Member] | Impairments of Plant, Equipment, and Investment [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring and other
PrimaLoft Products [Member] | Benefit Plan Curtailment/ Settlement [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring and other
Unallocated Expenses [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring and other		3,580	(1,945)	(3,430)
Unallocated Expenses [Member] | Termination And Other Costs [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring and other		1,830		3,022
Unallocated Expenses [Member] | Impairments of Plant, Equipment, and Investment [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring and other		1,750
Unallocated Expenses [Member] | Benefit Plan Curtailment/ Settlement [Member]
Restructuring and other, net
Restructuring and other			$ (1,945)	$ (6,452)