The Art of Adire

At Elisamama, every piece we create is more than just clothing, it’s a story of tradition, craftsmanship, and artistry. One of the most special technique we use is Adire Dyeing, a centuries-old Nigerian textile dyeing technique that transforms plain fabric into intricate, hand-dyed masterpieces.

Creating the Pattern

Artisans use traditional techniques like hand-drawing with wax, folding, or tying the fabric to create unique resist-dye patterns. To achieve more uniformity in design, they also carve out intricate stamps, which are dipped in wax and pressed onto the fabric before dyeing.

Hand-Dyeing

The fabric is then dipped into vibrant dyes, allowing the rich colors to develop over time. The process can involve multiple dips to achieve deep, layered hues.

Dewaxing the Fabric

Once the dyeing is complete, the fabric is carefully washed to remove excess dye, revealing the stunning patterns beneath. It is then dried in the sun, setting the color beautifully.