A Beginner’s Guide to Canvas Cotton Duck

For those new to its use, a beginner’s guide to canvas cotton duck is just the thing get acquainted with the wide array of applications this versatile fabric offers both in industry and in the home. From clothing to camping supplies, tactical gear to arts and crafts, this handy overview will give you all the information you need to get started. Let’s begin with the basics.

What is Canvas Cotton Duck?

Canvas cotton duck is a type of plain-woven fabric that has been waterproofed by applying a coating to one side. It’s made from heavy-duty cotton with varying tanning agents applied during the process, or sometimes treated with synthetic substances such as polyurethane and acrylic for improved water resistance.

Duck is traditionally used in areas where more substantial fabrics fare well: clothing items like trousers, jackets, shirts, skirts and shorts; footwear, including shoes and boots; upholstery for furniture covers and cushions; and interior decoration pieces like curtains or drapes. In the world of industry, duck offers other benefits besides its durability, too—many manufacturers use this material because it requires less finishing on the edges, which means they can cut down on production costs. Duck is classified by weight on a scale of 1-12, with 1 representing the heaviest grade and 12 representing the lightest.

Canvas Cotton Duck vs Plain Canvas

The main differences between duck and plain canvas boil down to water resistance, durability, and weight. While duck has been treated with chemicals to make it water repellent and is tightly woven for durability, plain canvas fabrics are often made from untreated materials, which means they can shrink when wet and not retain their shape as well as duck. Duck can withstand much more abuse than plain canvas because its tight weave makes it difficult for rips or tears to develop over time. Duck is also much heavier than plain canvas materials, which makes it a better choice for certain applications such as backpacks, tents, and furniture that will be outside on display.

Canvas Cotton Duck Benefits

Canvas cotton duck has been in use since the 19th century, and it still remains popular today because of its versatility and durability. While there are a ton of benefits to using duck, here are just a few:

• It’s relatively easy to care for, needing only occasional washing with mild soap and cold water on gentle cycle (air drying is recommended over machine drying, which tends to weaken fabric over time).
• It tolerates being washed over and over without losing shape or color, which makes it a strong choice for any heavy-duty application—especially projects outside of the home.
• Duck can be ironed easily but doesn’t frequently require that kind of maintenance.
• It’s great for both summer and winter applications—shade in the summer, heat retention and shelter from the wind in the winter.
• Duck doesn’t stretch out of shape like most other fabrics, which increases its practical value in industrial use.

Canvas Cotton Duck Uses

A beginner’s guide to canvas cotton duck would not be complete without mentioning all the different ways this convenient material can be utilized:

• Duck is often used in clothing, including jeans, jackets, and protective utility garments.
• Duck be found in camping supplies and tactical gear because the fabric is water resistant and durable.
• Duck has a wide range of applications for arts and crafts projects. It’s known to work well with sewing machines as well as needlework such as embroidery or cross stitch. The fabric works especially well when mixed with textiles like wool (for example). These materials create a wonderful texture that is not only water resistant, but warm, as well.
• Duck is frequently employed in canvas paintings, which are often stronger than paper or plain canvas and can last longer.
• Duck may also be cut into strips or shapes to create unique pieces of home décor such as table runners, placemats and napkins.

Canvas ETC is Your Source for Canvas Cotton Duck

Combining utilitarian practicality with endless craft and artistic applications, duck is one of the most useful fabrics you can choose for your business or home projects. At Canvas ETC, we lead the industry in quality, and our wholesale prices are unmatched by any of our competitors. We have the fabric you need, no matter what you need. Our team of knowledgeable, caring fabric specialists will answer any and all of the questions you have about our products and their myriad applications. For up to date info on all or our new products, wholesale specials, inspiring project ideas, or to become a part of our community of artists and artisans, please follow us on social media!