Learn all about what is duck cloth and fabric! Duck cloth is also known as duck canvas, cotton duck cloth, or simply duck. However, people outside the textile industry often call this "canvas." This is a plain weave, heavy cotton fabric laced with 2 yarns in its warp and one yarn in its weft.
What is Duck Cloth (Duck Fabric)
Duck cloth, also known as cotton duck or duck canvas, is a heavy, plain woven cotton fabric. It is categorized based on weight, with grade twelve being the lightest of all varieties and grade one being the heaviest.
The classification method that is used today was implemented way back 1920s. The Department of Commerce in the United States also said that the duck cloths's numerical labels are based on a particular formula or computation. This is also classified as one of the most known workwear fabrics.
What is Duck Fabric? Despite its unique name, this hardwearing workwear cloth is unrelated to ducks and has nothing to do with their feathers.
Duck Cloth in Summary
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Material | Made from cotton. Occasionally blended with synthetic fibers. |
| Weave | Plain weave that is more tightly woven than regular canvas. |
| Weight | Heavyweight fabric. The weight can vary, often classified by a number system (the lower the number, the heavier the fabric). |
| Texture | Has a smooth surface but is more rigid and sturdy compared to other cotton fabrics. |
| Durability | Highly durable and resistant to tearing and ripping. |
| Water Resistance | Although not fully waterproof, it has a certain degree of water resistance. Can be treated for increased water resistance. |
| Breathability | Good breathability due to its cotton composition. |
| Uses | Used for a wide range of purposes including workwear, shoes, artist's canvases, tents, and bags. |
| Maintenance | Easy to care for. Can be machine washed and dried. However, heavier weights may require special handling. |
What is Duck Cloth History
The name "duck" actually comes from the word "doek." Doek was Dutch sailors' canvas cloth for their outerwear and pants in the Navy. Unlike canvas, duck cloth is just a plain, tightly laced fabric consisting of two thick yarns wrapped together, resulting in a dense weave.
This thick weave is tight enough to resist water and wind penetration. Also, because of its tightly tied threads, duck cloth is incredibly durable and resistant to damage. It is so durable that sailors utilized it during those traditional times to protect their skin from the water's temperature compared to other ordinary kinds of cloth.
Because of its high thread count, duck cloth may be stiff and rigid at first. However, this will slowly soften up when washed several times. If you're still wondering what duck cloth is, this type of fabric sometimes appears peach-finished. There's a specific process wherein 1 side is machine-sanded, which results in a microscopically thin finishing smooth fuzz layer on its surface.
Canvas vs. Duck Cloth Fabric
So, what is duck cloth? How is it different from canvas? Duck cloth fabric, or simply "duck" is unsurprisingly mistaken as a canvas because of its undeniable similarities.
However, here's the difference: Canvas is made of tightly intertwined heavy yarns, causing it to have a coarse surface.
On the other hand, duck fabric is made of more delicate intertwined threads spun into heavyweight or medium yarns. These heavyweight/ medium yarns are tightly laced together to produce a smoother surface and higher thread count. Duck cloth is also synonymous with another fabric that's strong enough for military-grade applications and workwear.
What is Duck Cloth Advantages
Here are the advantages of wearing duck cloth fabric:
- Durability: It has a smooth surface that is not prone to tearing and snagging.
- Softens: Although it feels uncomfortable and stiff at first, it should feel soft and comfortable after you wash and wear it several times.
- Versatile: Duck is considered the second-best fabric used for workwear (next to leather) because of its incredible ability to protect the skin from extreme temperatures and block strong winds. Undeniably, this is an essential fabric for working in cold places.
Duck Cloth Disadvantages
- Weight: Duck cloth can be heavy and stiff, making it difficult to work with.
- Shrinkage: Cotton duck is particularly prone to shrinking when washed.
- Limited Comfort: Duck cloth clothing can be uncomfortable until they have been washed repeatedly and softened.
- Cost: Heavy duck cloth is of higher quality and more expensive than other fabrics.
Types of Duck Cloth
Duck cloth comes in many different types made for different purposes due to its weight. Here are some common types.
1. Single-Filled Duck Cloth
This is a lighter form of duck cloth. It's made with single yarns in both the warp and the weft. Suitable for light-duty applications where some strength is needed but heavyweight fabric is not necessary.
2. Numbered Duck Cloth
This type is categorized by a number system (number 1 being the heaviest and number 12 the lightest). The lower the number, the heavier and more durable the cloth. Numbered duck is used for heavy-duty applications like tents, tarps, outdoor furniture covers, and workwear.
3. Army Duck Cloth
Known for its tight weave, this type is made with plied yarns and offers high strength and durability. It's often used for products that require a robust fabric, like military tents, bags, and shoes.
4. Polyester Duck Cloth
While traditional duck cloth is made from cotton, this variant incorporates polyester fibers. It combines the durability of traditional duck with the enhanced weather resistance and reduced shrinkage of polyester.
5. Waxed Duck Cloth
This is traditional duck cloth treated with wax to enhance its water resistance. It's commonly used for outdoor gear, jackets, and bags where you need the items to be water-resistant.
6. Brushed Duck Cloth
This type has a brushed surface, giving it a softer feel. It's often used for clothing and accessories where a tougher fabric is needed but without the typical stiffness of standard duck cloth fabric.
7. Colored and Printed Duck Cloth
Your local fabric store will now stock duck cloth available in various colors and prints, expanding its use in sewing and crafts.
8. Cotton Duck Canvas
This is the classic form of duck cloth that is made entirely from cotton. It may be treated or untreated depending on its end use.
What is Duck Cloth Uses
Duck cloth has indeed benefitted today's modern and innovative industry with many valuable products that make people's lives easier and more convenient. From bags, shoes, covers, treatments, and other things, there is no wonder why duck fabric is one of the most durable, all-around, and usable cloths.
Here are some of the many products you can make from cotton duck fabric.
Stroller Covers and Baby Carriers
Stroller covers and baby carriers should be made with soft and comfortable materials perfect for delicate and gentle skin. Duck fabric is not only gentle and soft (when washed several times), but it is also durable enough to not tear.
Shoes and Sneakers
Plenty of shoes and sneakers made of duck fabric are available in malls, stalls, and department stores.
Window Treatments
Window treatments and backdrops such as curtains might be an expensive home decor element. But with duck fabric, you can design something based on your preference and save money at the same time.
Meal Bags
Duck Fabric can be used for meal bags or lunch bags! You no longer have to spend a lot of money to buy all your children's lunch bags because you can create your bags using duck cloth. You're not only able to "make a bag," but you can also customize and personalize it as much as you want.
Handbags, Tote bags, Backpacks, Aprons
If you plan to make a beautiful handbag, then duck cloth might be the kind of fabric you want to use. Because this is a heavy fabric with tightly laced yarns, it can be utilized for creative projects that should be resistant to wear and tear.
Homemade Canvases
Did you know traditional artist canvases for paintings are expensive? So, why can't you make your own blank canvas for your portraits and abstract paintings with cotton duck cloth fabric? You may even attach small canvas pieces to Popsicle sticks to create tiny artworks. Simply use glue (most preferably hot glue) to attach four Popsicle sticks to the mini frame. Then, let them dry. Afterward, you should wrap a piece of duck cloth around those sticks to give yourself a mini canvas.
Tents and Shelters
Aside from those mentioned above, duck cloth can also be used for shelter. Army Duck, also called shelter fabric, is a medium-weight, multi-purpose fabric made of plied, tight weaves of yarn. The tightness of the yarns makes them strong and very resistant to damage. Army Duck or Shelter Duck is laced with smaller and thinner yarns to create a very smooth texture that is perfect for making fine portrait painting elements.
Aside from that, Army Duck can also be used as a tent's roof. This is applicable for outdoor parties wherein people need extra shade for their outdoor games and other activities. Army Duck cloth or Shelter Duck will block the sun from penetrating the venue, giving people the coolness and shade they need throughout the day.
What is Duck Cloth – In Conclusion
What is duck cloth? Duck cloth fabric is ideally used for awnings, outdoor upholstery, and heavy-duty containers such as sacks. Making something out of it is one of the best ways to produce environmentally-friendly products. Aside from being manufactured in an environmentally friendly manner, duck cloth items can save you a lot more money in the long run than synthetic fabrics. I hope you learned a lot from this guide and are inspired by the creative products you might want to make from duck fabric.
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