Waterproof/resistant natural fabric?

Hello everyone!

I'm interested in making some of my own hiking/camping gear, and I'm looking for a fabric that is lightweight, waterproof and natural. I can get ahold of silnylon, but it's quite processed, and would much rather find something more earth friendly.

Thanks for any suggestions!
SandalScout

 

lanolin is a oil that you could put on a fabric to make it waterproof...

 

Thanks Faerie, I didn't now that. Do you know how well it works? Like if I took a tightly woven cotten panel and did that, could I use it to make a tarp-tent (very crude tent) that would stay pretty dry?

Anybody else got any other ideas?

SandalScout