Last week I experimented with making waxed canvas using my Kokka linen/cotton blend fabrics. It was a simple project and I love the results. Why would you want to wax your fabric? Well, this is how people waterproofed fabric for outdoor use many years ago, but the natural waterproofing and the distressed look of it is appealing to me. I am not a hunter or an outdoors person, but I do like the idea of a natural, waterproof tote bag. Most of the waxed canvas bags I’ve seen are made with solids, so I wanted to try it out on my patterned fabric.
First, I ordered wax bars from Otter Wax. You can read here about their petroleum-free natural ingredients. Note that it’s made from beeswax, so not vegan. I bought three small bars and used almost one full bar for about a half yard of fabric. According to the directions, all you have to do is rub it on and let it cure. I applied the wax using a bit of elbow grease, rubbing the bar back and forth in both directions to get it into the weave of the fabric.
Then I let it cure for a day, but it still felt sticky to me. There are quite a few tutorials out there that suggest using a hairdryer, which I tried. But naturally I was impatient. So I ironed on the wrong side of the fabric which instantly melted the wax completely through both sides of the fabric. Just make sure you protect your ironing board from the wax, but it didn’t gum up my iron at all. The wax definitely has a smell, which filled up my sewing room for a day or so after the project, but it’s just a beeswax pine type of smell that was perfectly acceptable to me.
You can see the before and after below. The wax does make the fabric look darker, almost like it’s wet. And it feels a bit stiffer, but still soft enough to sew or wear. Next up, a tote bag for all my outdoor adventures! Or just for a trip to the grocery store.
Thank you so much for sharing this info. I’ll give it a try for my upcoming Xmas project – lunch bags for my kids 🙂
hi, i like this article. Thank you for the sharing.
When i was a student on the art academie, a class mate made a waxed coa5t but she used the coloured waxs.
It worked and look fabulous.
But with no colour the rransformation of the fabric looks great as well.
`hey have a great day;-D
Thanks for sharing this usefull information. Love the result, i will look for wax in dutchshops overhere, to make a waterproof bag of my own.
Turned out great! I was curious about how the beeswax would smell when you were finished, but it doesn’t seem too bad you say? I love seeing it used on your fabric line too! Most of the time you see it used on masculine-colored canvas LOL. Thanks for sharing your results.
Love this! I have been looking for so long for waxed canvas to make an overnight bag. It is hard to find! I had no idea I could do it myself. Thank you!
Thanks for this info. I will give this a try! 🙂
Hello,
If I use this on fabric will the material be waterproof/resistant enough for wrung-out, wet bathing suits to not seap through?
Thank you!
I don’t think the water will come through, but you should wax it on both sides or use a waxed lining and outer material. It repels water, but doesn’t block it.
I want to make a hair salon apron. Will it be pliable enough?
and will it resist stains?