Daypack Pattern in Faux Waxed Canvas
Daypack Pattern
Faux Waxed Canvas vs Waxed Canvas
This Daypack pattern is a great carryall for every day, sports activities, hiking and more. With its magnetic bar closure and adjustable backpack straps, it’s easy to wear and plenty roomy, too. The interior is lined with laminated cotton fabric, making it a great bag to tote damp swim towels, pet items and athletic shoes. The recommended fabric for the exterior is heavyweight, such as canvas, waxed canvas, faux leather or cork. The featured daypack pattern is made from waxed canvas. Can you tell by the image above which bag is made from waxed canvas and which is made of faux waxed canvas?
ABOUT WAXED CANVAS
Waxed canvas is a densely-woven cotton fabric that has been saturated with wax, giving it an extra layer of protection against the elements and a weathered appearance. The waxed coating “cracks” when crinkled, so the tote looks more and more weathered as it’s used. It does require a bit of special handling when sewing, as it’s much stiffer than “regular” canvas due to the coating. But it is a fun fabric to work with and provides unique results.
Faux waxed canvas has the same weathered appearance as waxed canvas can have (after a bit of crinkling), but the appearance never changes. It always looks like a paper bag that’s been crumpled and ironed flat, with it’s imprinted creases. The fabric has a nice canvas weight to it, and is much easier to sew than waxed canvas. It also doesn’t leave any residue or strange foldlines during the sewing process. (Incidentally, strange foldlines are easily hidden. over time with more wear on the bag, as more creases are added into the waxed coating. So, not much of a worry.)
Both fabrics are great choices for this bag, but I decided to make the daypack pattern up in faux waxed canvas to compare the two and see which I liked better.
DAYPACK PATTERN DIFFERENCES
Perhaps by now you’ve deciphered that teh light blue/gray bag is the faux waxed canvas and the dark blue/lilac bag is the waxed canvas.
The faux waxed canvas is more pliable and softer, so doesn’t stand up quite like the waxed canvas bag. This isn’t a deal breaker for me.
I also decided to use a wider webbing for the handles and straps on the faux waxed canvas version. Consequently, I needed to use 1 1/2″-wide hardware instead of the required 1″-wide, per the pattern.
I do love the look of the wider webbing, but that’s not why we’re here, folks!
Or is it?
I think any time you make a pattern more than once, you’re bound to make improvements. Whether that’s fabric choice, webbing choice or a construction tip. That being said, I really can’t decide which version I like most! They are both great in their own way.
This bag would make a great gift for a graduate or even for a dad on Father’s Day. Use waxed or faux waxed canvas for a rugged appearance and pair it with fun webbing to add a pop of color or flair. Grab the pattern HERE>
MORE FAUX WAXED CANVAS BAGS
If you love the look of the faux waxed canvas like I do, be sure to join me for our SANDHILL SLING VIDEOCAST, happening LIVE on May 14, 2024 at 2pm ET. We’re making the Sandhill Sling pattern by Noodlehead and embellishing the front pocket with pretty stitching. Grab a kit in Blackboard or Earth (black or brown) and register today!
Ellen March
I am the Director of Content for Sulky of America. The former Editor in Chief of Sew News and Creative Machine Embroidery magazines, I hosted Sew it All TV on PBS for nine seasons. I've appeared on It's Sew Easy on PBS, DIY Network's Uncommon Threads, Hallmark's Marie Osmond Show, MacPhee Workshop and more! Come sew with me!
