Canvas

Canvas fabric from Lebenskleidung – particularly strong and robust

Few people probably know that canvas has anything to do with cannabis. The popular cotton fabric was originally a hemp fabric and was first called "canevas" in English, which in turn comes from the Latin "cannabis".

Formerly woven by hand and flattened with a hammer, today's cotton canvas is manufactured by machine.

The thread is pulled alternately from the front and back through pre-stretched warp threads, creating an extremely rigid fabric that is always used when it needs to be particularly robust and durable.

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Our canvas fabric: Cult character meets reliability

Canvas became truly famous in the early 20th century thanks to the Converse company. Although the first high-top shoes with rubber soles were produced as early as 1860, the first "Converse All Stars" didn't appear on the market until 1917 – in black.

  • American basketball player Chuck Taylor, who conveniently also worked for Converse, gave them the necessary finishing touches and the distinctive patch at ankle height a few years later: The “Chuck” was born and canvas incidentally became one of the most popular fabrics for shoes.
  • Our canvas fabric can do much more than just make shoes! You can easily use it for backpacks and other bags, which you can even make waterproof with beeswax or other waterproofing agents.
  • You can also use it as a classic jacket fabric. It gives workwear outfits their distinctive look. Whether boxy jackets, trousers, or even shirts – canvas fabric makes every outfit special.
  • Made from 100% organic cotton, our canvas fabrics are available in a wide variety of colors and also in Panama weave. All organic canvas fabrics from Lebenskleidung are guaranteed GOTS-certified, from the cotton seed to the finished fabric – we've even surpassed Chuck Taylor in that respect!

The story of canvas fabric: A material that has conquered the world

The origins of canvas fabric

If you're looking for a fabric as robust as the history it comes from, canvas fabric is exactly what you need. Often equated with sailcloth, canvas fabric has its roots in the Latin word "cannabis," as it was originally made from hemp fibers.

Canvas fabric in seafaring

In the early days of discovery and exploration, canvas fabric played a crucial role. The sails of ships that crossed the oceans were made of canvas. This robust material enabled intrepid seafarers to explore distant lands and discover new horizons.

Canvas fabric in the military

The properties of canvas fabric, especially its strength and weather resistance, made it the perfect choice for military purposes. From the First World War to the present day, canvas fabric has been used for tents, uniforms, and equipment. You can see the robustness of canvas fabric in many military applications.

Canvas fabric in art

If you're an art lover, you've surely heard of canvas. For centuries, artists have used canvas as a surface for their masterpieces. The even texture and strength of canvas provide an excellent base for oil and acrylic paints.

Properties of canvas fabric

What makes canvas fabric so special? Here are some of the outstanding properties that make canvas fabric so versatile:

  • Robustness: Canvas fabric is known for its high tensile strength and durability.
  • Weather resistance: Thanks to the dense weave, the canvas fabric is water and wind resistant.
  • Versatility: Whether sails, upholstery or bags, canvas fabric finds use in a variety of textile products.
  • Easy care: Canvas fabric is very easy to clean and care for, as it has a certain robustness.

Canvas fabric today: A modern classic

Today, you'll find canvas fabric in many everyday products. From fashionable handbags to robust workwear, from tent fabrics to stylish interiors – canvas is ubiquitous. Its durability, versatility, and timeless elegance have made canvas a popular choice in the modern world. Whether in fashion, art, or industry, canvas remains an essential material that perfectly combines form and function.