The present invention is directed to methods of making wound dressings that include the steps of contacting a fabric substrate having properties effective for use as a hemostat and containing fibers prepared from a biocompatible polymer, with a solution of a water-soluble or water-swellable biocompatible polymer under conditions effective to distribute the polymer solution substantially homogenously on and through the fabric substrate, transferring the fabric substrate to a lyophilization unit under conditions effective to maintain the homogeneous distribution on and throughout the substrate, and lyophilizing the fabric having the polymer solution distributed on and there through.