The present invention relates to a method of making a fiber preform, suitable for preparing a composite article, comprising the steps of: (a) selecting a thermoplastic binder material which is particulate and solid at 25º C; (b) concurrently depositing reinforcing fibers and the binder material onto one side of a foraminous screen having a vacuum means positioned on the opposite side thereof which maintains the fibers and binder material in position on the one side of the screen, wherein the binder material is heated and deposited by means of a flame spray device; wherein (i) the binder material is heated sufficiently by the flame spray device such that its viscosity on the screen reaches a predetermined minimum level, and (ii) after the viscosity of the binder material has reached the predetermined minimum level, the binder material is returned to a solid state within a time period in seconds equal to the predetermined minimum level of viscosity in centipoise times 1/1000.