The earlier types of indigo resist-dyed wrappers (adire) were woven with handspun cotton; however, in recent years machine- made cotton fabrics have been used. The rich, elaborate patterns are produced by different methods of resist-dyeing, a woman’s art. The patterns on adire cloth are produced by resist method, using raffia or cotton threads to either tie or stitch the areas that will be resisted. Another type of resisting is done by painting or stenciling the intricate pattern using starch. The cloths are dipped into indigo dye baths to achieve the rich, brilliant blue color for which these cloths are known. The geometric, stylized patterns of animals and household objects are often symbolic, and each finished cloth has a specific name depending on the pattern used.