Drill Fabric

Drill is a stout cotton, linen, or hemp textile woven in a twill, so its surface shows a strong diagonal rib. That durable structure is why drill appears in trousers, uniforms, workwear, awnings, and protective covers. [CAMEO](https://cameo.mfa.org/wiki/Drill_%28textile%29)

The British Indian Army's Corps of Guides introduced khaki-colored uniform cloth in 1848, and khaki drill later became common for warm-weather service. The tan color made dust and field wear less obvious than white fabric. [Britannica](https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/1911_Encyclop%C3%A6dia_Britannica/Khaki)

No: drill and denim are both twill fabrics, but denim is usually a blue cotton twill with a characteristic warp-and-weft color contrast, while drill is commonly a more uniform cotton twill. Canvas is generally a plain weave, so it lacks drill's diagonal rib. [CAMEO](https://cameo.mfa.org/wiki/Drill_%28textile%29)

Light drill can make shirts, safari jackets, and skirts, while heavier drill is used for work trousers, uniforms, furniture covers, and awnings. The CAMEO textile reference describes drill as a strong twill made from cotton, linen, or hemp, so fiber and weight matter when choosing it. [CAMEO](https://cameo.mfa.org/wiki/Drill_%28textile%29)