Canvas Fabric

We all know and probably even use canvas in our lives, some of us daily. Painters rely on it as the medium to which they apply their paints, as they have for centuries. Sailors still prefer canvas as the material of choice for their sails, which must catch the wind, resist the elements, and be strong enough to withstand the other pressures of the ocean. And common people wear canvas on their feet or on their bodies. We have canvas chairs, sleeping cots, covers, and many other objects for which no better material may exist. Cotton canvas fabric is a woven material, one that is made in a pattern where the weft thread runs over one warp thread and under another warp thread. This one over, one under weave is a distinguishing feature of canvas that gives it its distinct look as well as strength. The fact that canvas is relatively easy to work with and to care for accounts for its massive popularity and use in so many different things, from giant sails that use canvas fabric by the yard, to the ubiquitous canvas grocery bags people are adopting in an effort to be more eco-friendly.

Why do artists working with paint still prefer to use canvas in their creations as opposed to different, newer materials?  It has to do with the ability of canvas to take on and keep colors clearly where in other materials, colors may tend to bleed or fade.  Also, because canvas is pretty tough as far as fabrics go (one of the toughest we have, and certainly the strongest one that sees common use), it can be stretched taut over a wooden frame to make an excellent painting surface.   

Perhaps the most classic and well-known application for canvas is in sailmaking.  Although there are strong, light, and synthetic materials used to make sails on the market today, canvas was the most popular material for sailmaking for centuries and still sees a lot of use for this purpose.  Again, the excellent ability of canvas fabric to withstand the elements is a key reason for this.  However, sails also need to be easy to keep clean and to store well, both criteria which are satisfied by canvas fabric. 

Another way that many people utilize this fabric is as outdoor canvas fabric for covering the sides of houses for privacy and shade, or for an easy, lightweight roof.  Waterproof canvas fabric is usually used for this purpose, and the same material is also used in a lot of tents.  Compared to tents made of other materials, such as nylon, canvas is heavier, but it is breathable and holds up better against the wind (think sails) and is a better choice for semi-permanent tents, as when guests need a place to stay for an extended period but you don't have any extra room in your house.  A canvas tent can also make a good summer house, as it is more durable than a normal tent and some come in very large sizes that will accommodate an entire family. 
A very ancient use of canvas fabrics along the same lines as using canvas to cover tents is being re-discovered by some people today.  This is using canvas for the outer coverings of yurts.  The traditional mongolian yurt consisted of a wood frame covered with several layers of felt, and then covering the whole thing with waterproof canvas.  The canvas swells and pull taut when it rains, providing a sort of natural waterproofing.  In the hot summer weather, it can easily be rolled up to let in the breeze.  For the climate of Mongolia as well as many other parts of the world, the yurt is an ingenious design that is also easy to build and uses resources in a sustainable manner.  People who are researching ways to build their own yurt will most surely consider using canvas, as they will be able to calculate the dimensions and cut sew it themselves (with an industrial sewing machine).  Waterproof canvas fabric should be used for this purpose, of course, with some companies offering canvas fabric that has been treated to be both water and fireproof.  You should check with different canvas fabric suppliers to make sure any chemicals used for this treatment is not hazardous to health.  It is also a good idea to look for canvas fabric wholesale as quite a bit of material is needed to cover an average-sized yurt. 

Because canvas is relatively light in weight and made of cotton, it is a good choice for making clothes for warm weather.  The cotton is cooling, and the stiffness of canvas prevents it from taking that limp appearance that normal clothes display when worn by sweaty humans in hot and humid weather. 
Of course, canvas shoes have long been a popular item.  The most well-known of these is made by Converse, and the continuing popularity of Converse canvas shoes from when they were introduced on down to the present day is a testament to the durability and comfort of canvas.  These are excellent in terms of ventilation, and canvas shoes have a simple look and design that manage to be appealing without costing an arm and a leg.