FROM DESIGN TO PRODUCT
DESIGN FOR CUSTOMIZED PRODUCTS
Mekdi our general manager and partner of Maraki will consult with the weavers explaining our custom-designs in order to estimate the time of production, the quantity of materials and the amount of dye.
BUYING COTTON
We buy our locally-sourced cotton only from the local markets in different qualities ranging from natural off-white cotton to bright white and from very thin threads for summer scarves to thick threads for gabis and winter scarves.
DYEING COTTON
Our high quality reactive dye colours are provided and certified by Bezema Group. Bezema is a foundation-owned European / Swiss company committed to fair human-resources management and aiming to provide sustainable and innovative solutions for highest quality products. Textile experts have provided the weavers with training for the dyeing process.
SPINNING
In order to prepare the thickness of the threads and of the textiles, sometimes the cotton threads have to be spun.
WEAVING
In Ethiopia, hand weaving is one of the oldest and most important traditions. It consists of interlacing longitudinal threads (warp), which are strung vertically through a loom, with horizontal threads (weft) at right angles. Most handlooms are only 70–90 cm wide so that both edges of the warp are within arm's reach. In order to produce larger samples of textile, weavers will often sew together multiple panels of cloth.
FINISHING / QUALITY CONTROL
The finishing will consist of cutting and twisting the fringes of the scarves and the sewing together the pieces of gabis. Mekdi will personally coordinate with the weavers and ensure that the products are of highest quality. The scarves and bath towles will then be ironed and prepared for export to Switzerland.