Canvas can be used to make a variety of projects, such as tents, backpacks, home décor, and even sails for boats! While some of these projects do require expertise, there are lots of things that you can do with canvas that don’t necessitate a mastery of the art of sewing (for example, making your own painters canvas doesn’t take a tremendous amount of skill). No matter what your skill level is or how you intend on using canvas, you’re going to want to make sure that you have the best option possible.
While choosing canvas material might not seem like a terribly difficult task, it’s actually a lot more complicated than you might think. Like every other type of fabric, there are just so many different canvas options to choose from. So, how do you narrow down the choices and ensure that you are using a high quality canvas? The answer to that question is simple! – Read this review!
We’ve taken the liberty of investigating dozens of different types of cotton canvas After testing the materials out and reading through customer reviews, we’ve narrowed down the options to what we consider to be the top five canvas materials.
Best Canvas Fabrics
1. Mybecca Waterproof Canvas Fabric
This Mybecca Waterproof Canvas Fabric is 56 inches wide, so it can easily be used to create a slip cover for outdoor cushions; or you can cut it down to craft anything else that you might want to make. There are three different options for length, including 1 yard, 5 yards, and 10 yards. And, there are literally dozens of designs to choose from, including solid colors, stripes and camo. Based on the reviews that we read, the majority of people who have used this canvas material are very pleased with it; however, some people said that they didn’t find it to be as durable as they expected it to be. We don’t agree with the complaints, as we found it to be extremely hefty and didn’t find that it faded at all, despite constant exposure to intense sun and water.
What We Like About It
- Completely waterproof
- Mold resistant
- Fade resistant
- Available in a range of colors and designs
- Extremely durable
- Easy to work with
- 60 inches wide
- Available in various lengths
Reasons to Complain
- Some users said that they had problems with fading, but we didn’t find that to be true
- Others said that it had an odd smell
Final Verdict: If you’re looking for a high quality, durable, waterproof and fade resistant canvas materials, this option from Mybecca is definitely one that is worth considering.
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2. Nasco 1100424 Fine Arts Unprimed Cotton Canvas Roll
This canvas is unprimed, meaning that it hasn’t been treated with anything, like chemicals or solvents. It’s a smooth double duck canvas, so it is extremely easy to work with and is the perfect medium to paint on with all types of paints, from oils to water colors. The fabric measures 62 inches wide and 6 yards long, giving you plenty of material to work with. Weighing in at just 7 ounces, it’s the perfect weight to stretch over frames without any hassle. Based on the reviews that we have read, most customers who have purchased and used this product say that it is even better than they hoped it would be. But, there were some complaints about the presentation. For example, some said that it wasn’t rolled, but rather folded, which meant that it had to be ironed before use and made it difficult to store. As a caution, you can let the company know that you would prefer to have the canvas rolled instead of folded when you order it.
What We Like About It
- Smooth double duck canvas
- 7 ounce weight
- Easy to work with
- Stretches easily over frames
- Can be used with all types of paint
- Unprimed
- 62 inch width and 6 yard length
Reasons to Complain
- It’s described as a rolled canvas, but many users said that it came folded, which they were not pleased with
Final Verdict: Despite the misleading description regarding the rolled presentation, which many users reported that the fabric came folded, we think that Nasco’s 1100424 Fine Arts Unprimed Cotton Canvas Roll is a great buy. It’s perfect for creating your own painting canvas; or, you can use it to create other types of crafts.
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3. David Accessories Super Shiny Glitter Stereoscopic Sequins Fabric
The fabric isn’t rolled, but rather it is presented in sheets that measure 8 inches by 13 inches, and the thickness of each sheet will range between 1.8 to 2.2 mm. You’ll receive a combination of vivid colors, such as black, pink, purple, and blue. The glitter effect is quite brilliant; the material is very reflective, so it really makes a great statement. Do note that because the fabric is made of canvas that has been coated with glue, glitter, and sequins that it isn’t soft to the touch, but instead, it has a textured feeling. Most customers who have used this product say that they are very pleased with the brilliance and durability of the fabric, and that it is very easy to work with. However, there were some complaints about the odor, which, according to a couple of reviewers, was pretty pungent. But, scent is highly subjective, and we didn’t find the fabric to have an odd odor in the least.
What We Like About It
- Very sparkly for an eye-catching effect
- Comes in bold colors
- Highly durable
- Easy to work with
- Can be used in many different ways
- Affordable
Reasons to Complain
- Some users noted that the thought the fabric was too thin
- Others said that they think it had an odor
Final Verdict: For a unique take on canvas, David Accessories Super Shiny Glitter Stereoscopic Sequins Fabric is definitely worth considering. It has a one-of-a-king, super sparkly look that will most certainly catch your eye.
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4. James Thompson 3.3 oz Canvas Duck Natural
The fabric is made of 100 percent cotton, so it’s lightweight and breathable; however, as we mentioned, it is extremely sturdy. The 60 inch wide fabric is sold by the yard and cut to order; so for example, if you were to order 3 yards, you would receive three 1 yard lengths of material. Based on the reviews that we read, most users seem to be very pleased with this fabric. The say that it is easy to cut and that it felt and looked exactly as the expected it to; but, there were some complaints about the presentation, as some customers said that it was very creased. One user also said that the fabric was thinner than they expected it to be.
What We Like About It
- 100 percent cotton duck canvas
- Can be used in a variety of applications
- Very easy to work with
- Extremely durable
- Cut to order based on the amount you need
- Natural color
- Most users are happy with the product
Reasons to Complain
- As mentioned, some people did say that they found the material had a lot of creases in it when they received it
Final Verdict: Overall, we are very pleased with the James Thompson 9.3 oz Canvas Duck Natural material. It’s a no-frills canvas material that can be used for a variety of applications. It’s durable, easy to use, and we think that it comes exactly as described.
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5. The Original Tan Seamless DIY Drop Cloth Large 9 x 12 Feet
The dimensions of this fabric are 9 feet by 12 feet, and it has a weight of 10 ounces. Since there’s no seam in the center of the fabric, you won’t have to deal with any awkward positioning, nor will you have to painstakingly avoid the seam. The colors options include a natural warm tan or a natural cool gray, both of which offer a rustic look. To boot, the material also comes with a craft book that provides step-by-step instructions for how to use the drop cloth to create things like table runners, wall hangings, outdoor rugs, an tents for the little ones.
What We Like About It
- Solid, heavy weight cotton canvas drop cloth
- No seam to work around
- Extremely durable
- Available in two colors
- Comes complete with an instructional eBook
Reasons to Complain
- Some customers said that the price was a bit higher than they liked
Final Verdict: The Original Tan Seamless DIY Drop Cloth is a canvas material that every crafter should have on-hand. It’s durable, easy to work with, and since it doesn’t have a seam, it can be made into virtually anything.
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Buyer’s Guide to the Best Canvas Material
If you’re a crafter yourself or you know someone who is, canvas is a material that is worth investing it. It can be used for a myriad of projects, such as crafting tents, backpacks, shopping bags, tablecloths, table runners, placemats, covers for cushions and pillows, and even shoes. It’s also commonly used as a medium for painting when it is stretched out over a wooden frame.
What Is Canvas?
Typically, canvas is made out of cotton or linen material; however, it can also be made out of hemp. It’s a heavy duty material that, as mentioned, can be used in a variety of ways. It’s different than other heavy cotton materials, however, in that it has a plain weave instead of a twill weave.
There are two main types of canvas: plain and duck. The duck variety is more tightly woven than the plain variety, giving it a more uniform look and making it even sturdier than plain canvas.
Types of Canvas
There are several different types of canvas. In addition to the plain and duck options, other types include:
- Waterproof, which is ideal for applications where water penetration is a concern, such as sails, outdoor furniture, and protective coverings
- Dyed canvas, which is colored using various forms of dye
- Fire-proof, which, as the name suggests, is able to withstand the heat and flames of fire
These are just some of the different varieties of canvas. No matter what type of project you are looking to make, you can rest assured that the five types of canvas materials that are listed in this review are excellent choices.
Whether you are just starting to get the hang of using a hand sewing needle with the help of a trust sewing help guide, or you are a master of your sewing machine and are an expert at sewing a seam or you can sew a straight line with your eyes closed, there’s no doubt that you are going to want to have your sewing room stocked up with all of the items that you need to craft away. There are dozens of sewing essentials that you are highly recommended, like a sewing desk, a sewing chair, and of course, plenty of threads and needles.
Sewing fabric is another essential that you’re going to want to have on-hand, too. There are so many different types of fabrics, including satin, rayon, organza & chiffon, leather and suede, and knit fabric, too. But there’s another fabric that you should also consider keeping stock of, and that’s canvas material.
Recommended Reading: Best Sewing Machine for Canvas
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