In this paper, a method was described for increasing the moisture permeability of a sulfonamide/cotton (PSA/C) blend fabric (50/50) by coating of waterborne polyurethanes CGPU-100W. It was found that different parameters, such as concentration of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), thicknesses of coating, and curing temperature, could influence moisture and air permeability and water resistance. Optimum conditions without plasma treatment were with 0.35% of CMC, a coating thickness of 0.10 mm and a curing temperature of 110 °C for 3 min. Low pressure plasma was applied to change the surface properties of a coated fabric and make the fabric be coated successfully with lower viscosity of the coating agent. Coating properties could also be affected by different processing time, discharge powers and working pressures of low pressure plasma. The fabric was treated with a low pressure argon-plasma, at a working pressure of 25 Pa and a discharge power of 50 W for 30 s. After coating with plasma treatments, the moisture permeability increased from 3421.7 g/m2·24 h to 6593.7 g/m2·24 h and the air permeability increased from 1.68 L/m2.s to 17.80 L/m2.s, while the water resistance remained stable at grade 5.Highlights► CMC coating additive could better water resistance and moisture permeability. ► Low pressure plasma could make a fabric be successfully coated with lower viscosity. ► Moisture permeability could increase to 6593.7 g/m2·24 h for plasma treated sample.