Duck Cloth Fabric: Why It's Taking Over Home Decor

Need fabric that won’t quit on you? Duck cloth has your back. It’s strong—like, drag-it-around-the-house strong—but it still looks sharp. Toss it on some pillows, reupholster a chair, whatever you want. This fabric just gets the job done.

Where Duck Cloth Fabric Came From

Fun fact: “duck” actually comes from the Dutch word “doek,” which just means cloth. The fabric itself got its start in India and the Netherlands, then eventually landed in England and America in the 1700s. Back in the day, people used it for sails, army tents, and rugged work clothes. Now, you’ll spot it everywhere in home decor, especially as a canvas for furniture.

What Makes Duck Cloth Fabric Different

Duck cloth is tough stuff. It’s woven tight and feels sturdy in your hands, so it barely rips, shrugs off stains, and doesn’t soak up water like other fabrics. What’s really nice? It gets softer the more you use it, but it never sags or loses its shape. People use it for all sorts of things:

Cushions & pillows—Canvas upholstery that stands up to kids, pets, and whatever else life throws at it.

Lampshades—Printed duck fabric that looks fancy but doesn’t fall apart.

Throws & blankets—Warm and cozy, but never too heavy.

Table decor—Duck cloth prints make your table look sharp and pulled together.

Window shades—Upholstery duck cloth keeps its shape better than anything else out there.

Furniture—Duck canvas prints that still look good after a year of daily use.

Hand Block Printing on Duck Cloth Fabric

At Fabdivine, we hand-block print our duck canvas. Patterns like Sudarshan Jaal, Amrit Vella, Mormukut, and Pukhraj—each one turns out a little different, since real people carve the blocks and stamp them by hand. We use colors like white, black, grey, brown, green, red, and yellow. No two pieces look exactly alike, and honestly, the whole process is way kinder to the environment than machine printing.

What Designers Say About Canvas Upholstery Fabric

Nate Berkus called duck cloth fabric "timeless and practical" in a March 2023 interview. He loves how it ages—it just gets better, not worn out. Joanna Gaines wrote in Magnolia Journal (July 2022) that she picks it for Roman shades and upholstery. She says it adds warmth and can handle anything you throw at it.

The Downsides of Duck Cloth Fabric

Nothing’s perfect, right? Here’s the deal: Duck cloth starts pretty stiff. Give it a few washes or just use it for a bit, and you’ll notice it softens up. Don’t expect any stretch. If you need fabric that moves, duck print isn’t it. It’s not the easiest to sew, either. Regular sewing machines can struggle, so grab a heavy-duty needle and some strong thread if you’re working with printed duck fabric.

Duck Canvas Fabric is Blowing Up in the U.S.

The numbers speak for themselves—demand for tough, sustainable fabrics has shot up 35% since 2021. Duck cloth fabric alone? That’s up around 20% on these sites:

Etsy—Handmade goods galore, lots of hand-printed duck canvas.

Fabritual—Your spot for eco-friendly, high-quality printed duck canvas.

Wayfair & Amazon—More of the mass-market options for duck canvas prints.

Why Buy Fabdivine's Printed Duck Fabric?

We team up with over 200 skilled artisans. Need pillow covers, table runners, or upholstery fabric? Our hand-block printed duck cloth is made ethically and built to last. No shortcuts. No mass-produced junk.

Bottom Line

Questions People Actually Ask

Q.Is Duck Cloth Fabric Waterproof?

Not quite. The tight weave makes it water-resistant, which is pretty good on its own. Some companies add wax or coating to make it fully waterproof - that's the stuff you want for outdoor furniture or bags that might get wet.

Q. How Do You Make Duck Cloth Fabric Softer?

Freshly printed duck canvas feels like cardboard. Here's the fix:

• Throw it in the washing machine with warm water and regular detergent
• Dry it on low heat - this helps break down the fibers
• Add fabric softener or white vinegar when you wash it
• Honestly, just using it helps. Duck print fabric softens naturally over time

Q. Can You Actually Upholster Furniture with This?

Yeah, that's literally what canvas upholstery fabric is for. People use upholstery duck cloth fabric for cushions, chairs, sofas - anything that gets used a lot. The tight weave means it won't tear or stain as easily as other fabrics. Perfect for kitchens, family rooms, and anywhere with traffic.

Q. What's the Difference Between Duck Cloth Fabric and Regular Canvas?

Two main things:

The Weave - Duck cloth fabric is woven tightly and densely. Makes it way stronger than regular canvas.

How Heavy It Is - Regular canvas is lighter and bends more easily. Duck canvas fabric prints are heavier and built for serious use - upholstery, outdoor gear, stuff that needs to last.