If you need to do something that requires a strong fabric, whether it's making baggage, clothing, or for outdoor use, chances are you'll want to go with canvas fabric for your needs. Canvas has been around for a long time, long enough for it to be considered one of the great time-tested fabrics that can be depended on to do what it is called upon. It is strong, much stronger than its light weight would suggest, and it holds up well to the elements, including rain, wind, and sun. It is also easy to take care of, being made of cotton, and can be rolled or folded for storage. And properly treated, canvas will outlast most other fabrics used for the same application.
Some of the most popular uses for canvas today are for bags, such as the eco-friendly bags more and more people are bringing with them to grocery stores in lieu of consuming paper or plastic bags. But even before these bags became somewhat trendy, canvas was used for duffel bags, backpacks, and all sorts of other bags that needed to be strong and light. These same qualities have made canvas a natural choice when it comes to footwear, with canvas shoes still a popular choice with all members of the population. Besides these qualities, canvas also tends to impart a simple, natural look to whatever it's used in. It is an unpretentious, functional material that is always in style.
Artists have always loved canvas, and they remain faithful to it even today as the material of choice for paintings. Canvas can be stretched taut without tearing and still keep its shape, making for a good flat surface for painting. The colors of the paint also retain their clarity and don't run with canvas. Where would painters and art lovers be without this marvelous material?
Resistance to the elements is of course why canvas has always been the preferred material when it comes to sails for sailboats and ships. Even with the invention of new, more lightweight materials that also have excellent strength properties, canvas remains the most popular material for sails. It is easy to handle and resists ripping, plus can be more easily repaired than many other materials. It doesn't look like it will go out of style anytime soon when it comes to being used for sails.