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African Wax Print Indigos

Traditional African wax prints dyed only in indigo

These traditional African wax print designs dyed only in indigo are extremely popular in Ghana.

Many of these designs have been in production since the industrial revolution in Europe.

All 100% cotton, made in Ghana by GTP. We do not sell Chinese copies of African wax prints. Dressmaking/craft weight: 150 grams per metre, approximately.

Fabrics are 115 cm / 45 in wide, approximately. Fat Quarters are 50 x 57 cm / 20 x 22 in, approximately.

Ordering lengths: African wax print fabric is cut into lengths in the factory and a paper label is stuck onto it near one end. We do not send out fabric with that label on it. Therefore, the longest single uncut length we can offer is 4.5 metres. If you order more than 4.5 metres, your fabric will come in more than a single piece. If in doubt, please contact us.

Per Fat Quarter: £4.20     Per metre: £16.80

More: About African wax print

About African wax print

As we point out in our book African Wax Print: A Textile Journey -

'African wax print fabric is a defining methaphor of African design, fashion and expression; an immediately recognisable icon throughout the world'.

Quite simply, it just says, 'Africa.'

All over - but especially West and Central Africa - wax print fabric is worn by women, men and children of every social standing, from humble farmers to elite politicians. It is tailored into elaborate dresses and suits and also worn as a simple wrapper or pagne.

The designs range from distinctively African motifs rooted in history to wacky object-based prints such as shoes, fans, bicycles - almost anything.

Wax print production has always been complex and expensive. In the early days, wax was used to create a resist before dyeing the fabrics in industrial quantities. Some designs also required overprinting by hand using wooden printing blocks.

The character of wax print

The original wax resist method gave the fabric its characteristic irregularities:

  • a slight misalignment of colour and design
  • plus, a distinctive crackle effect caused by tiny cracks in the resist

We call these irregularities the perfect imperfection.

Today, cheap Chinese copies of wax print flood the African market, often smuggled across borders tax free.

To compete, the few surviving African producers have simplified production. Some designs still use a resist, with resin replacing wax. Other designs are now screenprinted using sophisticated industrial technology that replicates the characteristics of wax print.

We do not sell Chinese fabrics. All of our wax print is made in Ghana, either by Vlisco-owned GTP or ATL.

Using African wax print

Genuine African wax print is very robust and stands up to years of washing. It's great for colourful and distinctive clothing. Many creative and innovative textile artists are using wax print in their quilts and wallhangings.

The images shown here are from our book 'African Wax Print: A Textile Journey'.
African wax print modelModel shows off African wax print fabric. Image courtesy of A Brunnschweiler & Co.
 
Wearing African wax print fabric in AfricaIn Africa, African wax print fabric is everywhere. Image © Robert Irwin.
 
African wax print crackle effectThe characteristic 'crackle' of African wax print fabric.
 
Flying Ducks © Magie Relph
 

Also available

More fabrics: African Wax Prints in various colourways

Our acclaimed book: African Wax Print: A Textile Journey

Seamstress models African wax print indigo: Bolgatanga, Ghana

Macaroni Indigo New
image for Macaroni Indigo
£4.20FWW143
Shields Indigo New
image for Shields Indigo
£4.20FWW142
Magellan Indigo
image for Magellan Indigo
£4.20FWW141
Eden Indigo
image for Eden Indigo
£4.20FWW140
Skin Indigo
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£4.20FWW103
Lips Indigo
image for Lips Indigo
£4.20FWW137
Garden Trail Indigo
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£4.20FWW122
Cha Cha Cha Indigo
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£4.20FWW131
Pacman Indigo
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£4.20FWW102
Star of Venus Indigo
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£4.20FWW139
Chilli Pepper Indigo
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£4.20FWW128
New Fine Trail Indigo
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£4.20FWW101
Oriental Leaf Indigo
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£4.20FWW115
Wax Print Adventure Pack Indigo
image for Wax Print Adventure Pack Indigo
from £11.60AWX002
 
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