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Wayfarer 6oz Wax Cotton Brook Blue Fabric Splash

British Millerain Fabric

British Millerain has been finishing cloth in England since 1880 and patented the original Millerain rainproof finish in 1894. Six generations on, the mill is still family run and still the reference point for waxed cotton, supplying outerwear brands worldwide. What we stock here is that cloth by the metre, in the same weights and finishes the trade buys, from light 4oz waxed cottons through to heavy 12oz.
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Waxed cotton is one of the few technical fabrics that predates synthetics and hasn't been improved on for the job it does. British Millerain is the mill that made it: founded in Halifax in 1880 by a group that reputedly raised its start-up money selling pies at the local market, it patented the Millerain rainproof finish in 1894 and has been refining it ever since. The company moved to Lancashire in the 1920s and now finishes cloth at its own facility in Rochdale.

What that history buys you is consistency. The same mill has been solving the same problem for well over a century, and the cloth it produces now is Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified and REACH compliant, with the waxing process itself waterless and run on solar power from the factory roof. It's an unusually clean supply chain for a fabric with this much heritage behind it.

Why waxed cotton lasts

The wax sits in and on a woven cotton base rather than sealing it with a plastic film, so the cloth still breathes, softens with wear and develops the creases and marks that give an old wax jacket its character. More usefully, the finish is renewable: when the wax dries out after a few years, it can be reproofed rather than replaced. A wax jacket that's looked after properly outlasts most of what hangs beside it.

What we're stocking at the moment

The current range covers waxed cottons in a spread of weights from around 4oz through to 12oz, dry-finish and tin cloth options with a drier, less oily handle, water resistant cotton cambrics and drills, twills and a ripstop. Weights, widths and finishes are listed on each product page. The grid above is the definitive list of what's in stock today.

Sewing and care

Waxed cloth needs a sharp needle, a longer stitch and a walking foot or a roller foot, since it drags under a standard one. Use clips rather than pins wherever you can, because holes stay. Don't press it: the wax will melt into the sole plate and the cloth will lose its finish. Never machine wash or dry clean waxed cotton. Brush off dry dirt, sponge with cold water, and reproof when the finish looks tired, unless the fabric care label states otherwise. For the full weatherproof selection, see our waterproof and water resistant fabrics.

What is British Millerain fabric?

British Millerain is an English mill, established in 1880, that specialises in waxed cotton and technical outerwear cloth. It patented the original Millerain rainproof finish in 1894 and supplies outerwear brands worldwide. The name refers to the mill rather than to a single fabric type.

Is British Millerain waxed cotton waterproof?

It's highly water resistant rather than fully waterproof. The wax finish sheds rain and wind and will keep you dry in most British weather, but it isn't a sealed membrane and the seams aren't taped, so prolonged heavy rain will eventually find a way in.

How do you care for British Millerain waxed cotton?

Never machine wash, tumble dry or dry clean it. Brush off dry dirt and sponge marks with cold water and a cloth. When the finish dries out and the fabric starts absorbing water rather than shedding it, reproof it with a wax dressing. Check the individual product page for any fabric-specific guidance.

What weight of waxed cotton should I choose?

Lighter waxed cottons of around 4oz to 6oz suit shirts, lighter jackets and linings, and are easier to handle on a domestic machine. Heavier weights from 8oz to 12oz are the choice for country coats, work jackets and bags, where durability matters more than drape. Each product page lists its weight.

Can you sew waxed cotton on a normal sewing machine?

Yes, with a few adjustments. Use a sharp needle in a heavier size, lengthen the stitch, and fit a walking foot or roller foot so the cloth feeds properly. Use clips instead of pins, since pin holes don't close up in waxed cotton.

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