Waxed Canvas Fabric by the Yard

Waxed canvas is cotton duck finished with wax for water resistance. Shops sell it by the yard.

Updated Oct 22, 2026. Edited by: Ilyass Ben Hakim.

Where to buy

Leathercraft suppliers, outdoor fabric shops and bag-making stores carry waxed canvas. Martexin is a well-known US mill brand sold through many of them.

Professional insight

Bag makers choose waxed canvas by finished weight, not color. Weight decides how a bag stands and sews.

Ask if ounce weight is before or after waxing.
Heavier than 12 oz may need a walking-foot machine.
Order one length so wax tone matches across panels.
Paraffin blends feel tacky in heat; ask what wax.

Check the label

Weight in oz per square yard.
Whether that weight is pre-wax or finished.
Width in inches, often 52 to 60.
Fiber content, usually 100% cotton.
Wax type: paraffin, beeswax or a blend.
Sold by the yard or as a cut piece.
Mill or brand name, such as Martexin.

0 of 7 checked

Specs to match

Weight guide by project
Weight (pre-wax)	Feel	Good for
7 to 8 oz	Light, drapes well	Jackets, pouches, linings
10 oz	Medium body	Totes, aprons, dopp kits
12 to 16 oz	Stiff, holds shape	Duffels, backpacks, tool rolls

Tools you will need

Heavy denim or leather needles, size 16 to 18.
Bonded polyester or nylon thread.
Binder clips instead of pins, which leave holes.
Rotary cutter and a self-healing mat.
Hair dryer to smooth wax marks after sewing.

Care

1Brush off dry dirt with a soft brush.
2Spot-clean with cold water and a rag.
3Air dry away from heaters and sun.
4Rewax when water soaks in instead of beading.
5Warm new wax with a hair dryer to set it.

Common questions

Is waxed canvas waterproof?: It is water resistant. Seams and worn spots can still let water through.
Can I wax plain canvas myself?: Yes. Rub in a fabric wax bar, then set it with gentle heat.
Why does my fabric have light streaks?: Folds and scuffs show as lighter marks. Gentle heat usually blends them back.