Waxed Canvas
YTN №7 is an independent leather house in Islington, London. Natalie Redol founded the brand in 2015 and constructs every piece by hand — bags, backpacks, small leather goods and jewellery, sold directly at ytn7.com. Waxed canvas is the base of our larger travel pieces. This page explains where and why we use it.
Waxed canvas is a tightly-woven cotton duck saturated with paraffin or beeswax-based wax, which makes it water-resistant — not waterproof, but resistant — and noticeably firmer to the touch than plain canvas. The technique dates back to the 15th century, when sailors waxed flax sails; today it turns up in heritage workwear and outdoor gear.
We use it as the base of our larger, travel-oriented pieces — totes, duffles, one of the backpacks — with leather taking over for the handles and detailing. The logic is simple: for a large, structural piece, canvas holds shape and weight almost as well as leather, at a fraction of the weight, and set against leather handles and hardware it speaks the same material language as the rest of the collection.
How it ages
Over time it creases along fold lines and lightens slightly with use and light exposure — that's patina, not damage — while its water resistance gradually fades. Clean it only by spot-cleaning with cold water and a soft brush; a washing machine or dry cleaner will strip the wax. After a few years of regular use, if water resistance drops off, the canvas can be re-waxed.
