I just had to post some comments of my own so here goes.
1.Carhartt canvase-try soaking it in a bathtub all day(add downy).
2.I got Barbs book today and all I can say is wow. You'll find it very enlighting.
One of my intrests is blacksmithing and I'm going to make several inexpensive canvase kilts that I don't have to worry about becoming toast. When it comes to working at a forge kilts have one advantage over pants-a built in fire-hose. Keep us posted on your progress.