Waterproof canvas/fabric with Wax - Tutorial

We needed to waterproof a canvas satchel for my daughter going to Alaska where she was told there was the snowy season and the rainy season. I looked up some information and thought I'd simplify the directions and through some pictures with it.

First, using 1 part Paraffin Wax and 1 part Beeswax, melt them together. We're using a Chocolate melter, but it can be done with a double boiler as well. We followed the directions for 4 oz each type of wax and it was way more than we needed. Maybe 2.5 oz each (maybe 3) would have been plenty for the bag we were waterproofing.

After the wax was melted, we used a (new) cheap paintbrush to paint the wax onto the bag.

As you can see, the wax begins to harden and turn white as it cools. Not a problem.

Using a hairdryer (yes, this one is very old), you melt the wax into the fabric. It does change the texture of the fabric (slightly in our case), and the weight of the bag since you are adding wax.

You can see in these pictures the wax disappearing - melting into the fabric.

When I had thoroughly coated and melted the wax in, we tested it for waterproofness. The wax could not penetrate the holes between the zipper teeth (obviously), nor the opening between the straps and the front flap (another "obviously"), but the canvas fabric was not penetrated.

Dancing Squares, Scrap, Wonky, Log Cabin, Purple Background

I made this quilt top from scraps. In a kind-of log cabin style, I have finished squares in 12", 13", and 14" finished sizes. I then cut the background to finish the final squares to 16" finished size. My sister says it looks like dancing squares. This will either be sold or go to charity. It is about 80"x90" in size.

Justine's Hand Embroidered Baby Quilt in Turquoise

Justine made this top and had it all basted and ready for her to quilt on her domestic sewing machine when she decided to have me do it instead. Simple loops in white thread. She will trim and bind it.

I don't know why it continues to amaze me how much I like the look of loops. It's so easy and fun to do that I guess I think it will look too simple, but it goes well on so many tops.

Elaine's Brown, Blue, White, Orange Pinwheel-type Quilt

Elaine asked me to quilt this lovely quilt she made with an all over freehand loop design with white thread (Glide and Glide 60). 

I offered to trim the edges, but she prefers to do it herself. I think it turned out really well.