Interesting Facts about Canvas You Did Not Know Before

There's a good chance you've seen canvas tents, bags, and coats before. You might even own a canvas hat or a pair of canvas shoes. This material is so prevalent in outdoor clothing and gear that many people don't give it a second thought. But there's more to this versatile, long-lasting material than meets the eye. Let’s take a look at four fascinating facts about canvas we think you should know!

What Is Canvas?

Canvas is a woven cloth consisting primarily of cotton and, to a lesser extent, linen. Canvas cloth is regarded for being strong, resilient, and long-lasting. Canvas can be made weather resistant or even waterproof by combining cotton and synthetic fibres, making them excellent outdoor clothes.

A material famed for its tenacity and versatility, canvas has various practical uses that apply to anyone from artists to handbag designers to sailors.

1. Before Cotton, There Was Hemp

Hemp was used to making canvas before cotton became popular. The word canvas was derived from the old French word canvas, which means "made of hemp," in the 13th century.

Hemp was initially a popular fibre-producing plant, but its fibres were woodier and more challenging to work with than cotton. Hemp is still used to build strong materials like rope, although cotton remains the preferred canvas material.

2. There Are Two Types of Canvas Known Today

Waxed canvas, printed canvas, fireproof canvas, and dyed canvas are just a few of the speciality canvas options available these days. These specialist forms of the canvas are formed from two basic types of canvas: plain and duck.

The weave of the plain canvas is very coarse. Duck has a larger thread count, which makes it smoother. Duck is more suited to delicate things that nevertheless require some robustness, including baby carriages and window treatments. Still, the plain canvas is generally a better choice for heavier, outdoor use.

3. By Nature, They Are Water-Resistant

While many people believe that because the canvas is a fabric, one must treat it in some way before being exposed to the elements. This isn't always the case, though.

Naturally, the canvas is waterproof. When the fibres become wet, they swell, making it impossible for more water to enter through the material. You can put waterproofing compounds on the surface of the canvas to improve its moisture resistance; however, this is an optional step.

One disadvantage of utilizing canvas in moist conditions is that it might grow mould and mildew if not quickly dried after becoming wet. Consequently, some outdoor explorers have come to choose mildew-resistant materials for applications such as sail covers and tents.

Acrylic canvas is a popular choice since it is a densely woven cloth produced from acrylic threads rather than cotton.

4. It Has a Lot of Advantages for Outdoor Use

Even with the discovery of lighter, more waterproof synthetic textiles, canvas has maintained a niche in the outdoor gear business.

Canvas is a rigid material that won't easily tear if dragged on repeatedly. It's very simple to dye and keeps its dye colour even in harsh environments. It also readily receives fire- and waterproofing treatments. Canvas also works well to keep the wind at bay. There is no doubt that canvas is a durable outdoor fabric that isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

Is There Anything Else?

Canvas is a great material that is stylish and functional at the same time. Whether you’re an outdoorsy person or just someone who wants to dress well, it’s a material well worth investing in.

If you want to learn more about canvas, why not discover them yourself using canvas holdall bags? At Troop London, we offer durable and aesthetic canvas handbags in the UK. Treat yourself to a new canvas bag today!