Among the many textile materials there are those that have come down to our days from the depths of centuries. Of course, they have changed, acquired new qualities and properties, but they still delight with their aesthetic appearance, durability, and in some cases irreplaceability. Among these materials include canvas. What it is?
Fabric history
Canvas history begins in the era of Antiquity. It was the ancient Greeks who began to make sails from waxed hemp material, which was called canuabis - "hemp".
In the Middle Ages, ships continued sailing from hemp fabric, which was valued for its strength and durability. It was then, in the XIV century, that the material acquired its modern name - canvas. For greater strength, the fabric was impregnated with wax, and a simple one, without impregnation, was often used as material for sailor robes.
Later, sails were made of cotton and linen, but canvas fabric remained indispensable for the manufacture of work clothes.
Canvas: finding a new life
Work and army clothes were continued to be sewn from this fabric in the 20th century, but recently it has become very popular and is used in various fields: from furniture upholstery to the manufacture of stylish bags and fashionable shoes.
True, now this material is significantly different from its medieval predecessor. Modern canvas - what is it?
Despite the fact that outwardly this fabric is similar to canvas, it does not contain hemp fibers at all. And cotton in the canvas is only 35%, the rest is polyester and nylon. Moreover, it is synthetic fibers that give the canvas the quality of an ancient waxed canvas - strength, wear resistance and resistance to moisture.
Of course, this fabric cannot be called water-repellent (it absorbs moisture), but it gets wet very slowly. In addition, despite the density, the material passes air well. And the touch does not differ from the real "canvas" fabric.
Canvas has another interesting quality: when worn, it takes on an even more attractive and fashionable look.
Canvas Products
As in the past, clothes are sewn from this material, most often for work and outdoor activities. However, in many popular styles, such as country, boho, ethnic, hippies, jackets, vests, shoes and especially canvas bags are also popular.
However, bags made of this fabric attract not only fans of extravagant styles. They are comfortable, strong, durable and also look aesthetically pleasing, but without excessive pretentiousness.
Canvas bag - what is it? It is an ideal accessory for a business person living a dynamic, active life. And female models are also not without elegance and no less stylish than leather ones.
Shoes are made from canvas for those who prefer a sporty style. Sneakers, sneakers, moccasins, espadrilles from this material are popular among people of different ages. They are comfortable, not hot in summer and warm in cool weather.
Canvas is a wonderful fabric for upholstery. And it is readily used by furniture makers along with jacquard and leather, especially since it is no less durable than these materials. In the furniture industry, the special type of canvas developed by Arben is most often used.
They also use material for the manufacture of canvas awnings, tents, collapsible arbors, tents, curtains and much more.
But the use of this fabric is not limited to the production of purely utilitarian things. Canvas prints - what is it? These are magnificent paintings and photographs. The structure of the fabric allows you to apply a three-dimensional pattern of any complexity to it, and a peculiar texture creates the impression of handmade.
Deserved popularity
Widespread products from this unusual fabric received relatively recently. But it is actively used in the production of clothes, shoes, accessories, and in decorative and applied art. We can say that this is a unique material, which today has no analogues.
How is canvas estimated? Reviews about the fabric and its products are not too numerous, but always positive. Buyers note that the fabric is pleasant to the touch, and the colors are pleasing to the eye. Especially highly appreciated are bags that are distinguished by a stylish look, the recent effect of “aging” and at the same time durability.
The popularity of canvas is more indicated by the number of people wishing to purchase products from it. And judging by the forums, there are a lot of them.