Duck Fabric: History, Properties, Uses, Care, Where to Buy

Introduction to Duck Fabric

The name was derived from the Dutch word “doek,” which alluded to the linen fabric used by Dutch servicemen in the Navy for their pants and jackets and served as inspiration for the design. Cotton duck, also known as Duck Fabric, is a plain-woven cotton fabric with a woven pattern.

KEY TAKEAWAY

• Duck fabric, also known as cotton duck, is a plain-woven cotton fabric with a tight weave, making it durable and resistant to wear and tear. It is commonly used in products such as sneakers, painting canvases, tents, and sandbags.
• Duck fabric is primarily made of cotton and can also be made from linen. It has a smooth, uniform surface with dense threads, giving it a coarse feel. It softens with wear and washing while maintaining its durability.
• Duck fabric can be easily cared for by machine cleaning with low tumble drying and cool water. It can be repeatedly washed to soften the fabric. Waxed duck fabric does not require washing. Steam ironing with pressure can remove wrinkles. Duck fabric can be purchased from garment and fabric shops, as well as online retailers like Amazon.

 The Duck canvas has a tighter weave than plain canvas, which makes it more durable than plain canvas. Duck made of linen is also available, though it is less frequent. Converse, canvas, tents, and sandbags are just a few of the products created from cotton Duck fabric.

What is the History of Duck Fabric?

The word “doek” is a Dutch word and is the etymology of the English word “duck.” Unlike conventional linen Duck, cotton Duck is distinct from other types of Duck Fabric. 

In addition to flax, it can be manufactured from various materials. Contrary to popular belief, the cotton Duck has no relation to its more famous cousin.

Properties and nature of Duck Fabric

A key attribute of Duck Fabric is its resistance to wear and tear. Duck Fabric is made as sturdy as possible by combining a strong weave with cotton’s inherent durability. This allows the Fabric to be resistant to water and wind.

The Fabric is especially resistant to wear and tear because of its tight weave. Duck Fabric has a smooth, uniform surface, with the threads closely spaced. It softens up with wear and washing, just like any other cotton fabric. However, even as it softens, it will maintain its vigor.

Duck Fabrics’ dense threads make it feel coarser than other cotton materials. Duck Fabric, even at its thinnest, is a hefty material. 

How is Duck Fabric Made?

Duck Fabric is a type of woven textile. Authentic cotton ducks have a high thread count and an extremely tight weave. The strings are woven at straight angles in plain weave, creating a sturdy fabric. More threads are used to weave the warp than to weave it. Duck Fabric is now woven in large factories using industrial looms.

Plain, raw cotton makes up the bulk of Duck Fabric. Depending on its intended purpose, Duck Fabric can be printed or dyed by some manufacturers.

Cotton is the primary material used to make Duck Fabric. Unlike other materials, it never contains synthetics. All Duck Fabric is made of cotton, except for a variety of Fabrics made of linen.

Cotton that is tightly woven is easy to water-resistant and can be used for various purposes. Manufacturers continue to utilize cotton because synthetic fibers can’t compete with these qualities. Duck fabric comes in a broad variety of colors, patterns, and weights. It also comes in various weights and thicknesses based on the thread count, thread width, and weaving style.

Where is Duck Fabric Made?

Duck Fabric is a widely used fabric produced in textile factories after processing the raw materials. Since it is so widely used, it isn’t easy to outline a single fabric producer. The Fabric is easily accessible.

Common uses of Duck Fabric

Duck Fabric has many different blends used for various products and apparel. Be it Cotton or Linen, these different compositions allow Duck Fabric to have a variety of uses.

Cotton Duck Fabric

Cotton Duck Fabric may be found in anything from sneakers to painting canvases to tents to sandbags, being such a versatile material. 

Duck Canvas

Duck canvas is a brand name for duck fabric similar to Duck Fabric. Canvas, a plain-woven cotton duck fabric commonly used in outdoor gear, is one of the most frequent textiles used in this industry. 

Compared to other cloth varieties, duck canvas is more weather resistant and gentler to the touch. It is an excellent choice for tents, equipment covers, and other outdoor items.

Duck linen

The first Duck Fabric was made of linen. The material is nearly entirely cotton in modern times, but the early Fabric was composed of linen rather than cotton. It is also used for stroller covers, baby carriers, white trousers, and outwear.

Sewing with Duck Fabric

Duck Fabric is relatively easy to sew on as compared to other Fabrics. There is less of a chance of one hooking a hand sewing needle or shredding a piece of Fabric because the surface is smooth. Pins will not leave holes in the fabric because it is woven.

Since the Fabric is so easy to sew on, it is easy to make sewing patterns and designs on Duck Fabric. A colorful array of sewing threads and the right sewing notions and supplies will allow one to form an exquisite customized fabric of one’s choice. 

Also, Using the best sewing machines will get you the best results. An example is the Singer 7258 100-Stitch. The best Electronic Sewing machine out there. This will help you achieve your desired results with ease.

How to care for Duck Fabric

• Raw duck cloth fabric can be machine cleaned, and dried
• low tumble drying and cool water is the finest option.
• It can be repeatedly washed since washing it repeatedly makes the Fabric soft.
• Waxed Duck Fabric doesn’t need washing.
• Using a Shark steam iron can be beneficial, and keeping pressure on the Fabric can remove wrinkles.

Where and how to buy Duck Fabric 

The Fabric can be bought at several garment and Fabric shops. Customers can also buy it through online retailers like Amazon and Fabric.com.Check outl the Covington Fabrics and Design Cotton Duck Fabric or the VViViD Double Primed Duck Fabric. 

The Fabric is sold in different ways depending on the seller;

• By Inches
• By yard
• Can be cut to order

Where to Buy Best Duck Fabric

Here are our duck fabric reviews.

1. Covington Fabrics and Design Cotton Duck Fabric

Covington 100% cotton duck fabric comes in a range of prints.  It is suitable for a variety of projects, such as curtains, upholstery, and outdoor applications. It is cut to order, so you can get exactly as much fabric as you need for your project. This fabric can be spot cleaned easily, but is dry clean only.

• 100% cotton fabric
• 54 inches wide, length cut to order
• Dry clean only

2. James Thompson 9.3 oz. Duck Canvas

This 100% cotton duck fabric is sold by the yard.  It is available in a variety of colors.  It is machine washable in cold water and can be tumble dried on a low setting. It is suitable for a range of projects, from upholstery to projects for outdoor use.

• 100% cotton
• Each cut measures 60×36 inches
• Can be machine washed and dried

3. VViViD Double Primed Duck Fabric

This double primed cotton canvas fabric is twelve inches wide and comes in lengths ranging from five to 100 feet. It is ready to use right out of the box on home crafts and studio arts. The double primed surface ensures that the fabric will not yellow, fade or grow fragile.

• Acrylic-based fabric
• 12 inches wide, can be cut to desired length
• Acid free

4. MyBecca Unprimed 7oz Duck Fabric

 

This 100% cotton canvas duck cloth is suitable for use on a variety of projects, from home decor to upholstery.  It is sold by the yard and custom cut, so you can get anywhere from one to fifty yards. It is easy to care for – dirt and stains can easily be removed if they are treated quickly with mild soap, which makes it perfect for outdoor applications.

• 100% cotton material
• Sold by the yard
• Easy to clean

 

5. Waverly Printed Duck Fabric by the Yard

Waverly 100% cotton duck fabric comes in a variety of lovely prints and is suitable for use in projects ranging from curtains to upholstery.  It is easy to maintain because it is machine washable in cold water and can be tumble dried on the low setting. It is sold by the yard and cut to order, so you can get exactly enough for your project.

• 100% cotton
• Machine washable and dryer friendly
• 54×36 inch, by the yard

Duck Fabric Buyer’s Guide

There are several factors to consider when choosing a duck fabric for your project.  Duck fabric can be used in  a variety of applications, most commonly to make projects for use outdoors, for garments, and in home decor.  This buying guide will help you find the perfect duck fabric for whatever project you have in mind.

The first factor to consider when choosing a duck fabric is its composition and how it can be cared for.  Many duck fabrics are made of 100% cotton, but some are acrylic based. Most of the fabrics in this buying guide can be machine washed in cold water and tumble dried on the low setting. These fabrics can also be spot cleaned easily using mild soap and water, which makes them especially suitable for outdoor applications.

Another factor to consider is what you want to use the fabric for.  The fabrics in this buying guide include both solids in a range of colors and prints.  Many of the fabrics in this buying guide can also be cut to order, which is a great feature because you can order exactly as much as you need to complete the project you have in mind.

The duck fabrics in this buying guide work well for a range of projects, from outdoor applications to garments to home decoration.  By using this buying guide, you will be able to find the perfect fabric for whatever project you choose.

You might also be interested in

• 5 Best Canvas Fabric Reviews
• 5 Best Fabrics for Dog Beds
• 5 Best Fabrics for Throw Pillows
• Top 5 Free DIY Baby Crochet Patterns

Recommended Reading:

• Chapter 1: The 7 Sewing Essentials for Beginners
• Chapter 2: The Beginner’s Guide to Sewing Machines
• Chapter 3: The Ultimate Guide to Setting up your Sewing Room
• Chapter 4: Everything You Need To Know About Sewing
• Chapter 5: Sewing Fabric 101: A Virtual Tour of the Fabric Store

Conclusion

This durable Fabric has several names: cotton duck, duck canvas, or just duck cloth. This Fabric, which can be used for tents to tennis shoes, is inexpensive, functional, and long-lasting thanks to a basic weaving technique and a durable, versatile fiber.

Sources

• silver bobbin
• Britannica
• Old bull shorts
• Wikipedia