Waxed Cotton – Mill Visit
A N O B S E S S I O N
Waxed cotton is a unique high performance fabric that we have used throughout our designs.
Using waxed cotton in our shirt designs, as well as other products, has allowed us to develop something that has an exceptional performance, as well as being a contemporary garment. We believe that performance and quality is as important as the aesthetic, they should go hand in hand.
We have sourced our waxed cotton from Halley Stevensons, a specialist based in Dundee, who produce a vast selection of the highest quality waxed and oiled cottons.
On a factory visit we were able to gain some idea of the craftsmanship that goes into producing such a high quality of cloth. The waxed cotton has a huge amount of character. It dates back to the early 19th Century when sailors were seeking protection from the elements so treated old linen sailcloth with linseed oil and created basic garments. Over time it was discovered that a mix of wax and linseed oil had advantages, the most significant of these was that it was lighter. From there, it has become a part of our heritage and is now widely used throughout the fashion and textile industries.
The waxed cotton treatment creates a repellent wind and water barrier; other properties include strength, durability and longevity.
There are different types of wax and oils that can be used in the waxing process. As mentioned, linseed oil was one of the first used, as well as paraffin wax, beeswax and others. Different waxes are blended to provide the performance and finish required.
At Halley Stevensons, the base cloth is woven to their required specification then prepared through bleaching and singeing at the mill. The process then goes through dying and waxing before it is finished to the customers’ requirements.
The ‘Super-dry’ effect has been of particular interest to us in our shirt designs. This is achieved by the chemical treatment used in the fabric. The fabric sits softly against the skin, whilst keeping all of the performance qualities. We took advantage of this to create our ‘wanderer shirts’, in which we have created ‘the perfect walking shirt’. A breathable, water repellant, windproof shirt that is a versatile addition to the wardrobe. The proper care and treatment will ensure longevity in our products, please refer to ‘fabric care’ instructions.
