Textiles and Dyes from Peru

Roots are used as detergent to remove the oil from the alpaca wool.

Different herbs are used to create the rich colors for dying the wool. The cuchimilla cactus creates a deep red color.

The blue dye comes from the resin (tears) of the indigo shrub. The indigo powder mixed with water becomes a thick paste.

Limes are used to set the color.

The thread is spun and doubled to give it extra strength.

The threads are put into kettles of different colored dyes. They sit for anywhere from 45 minutes to a couple hours to absorb the color and then hung to dry.

Textile design is created by tying the vertical and horizontal threads. A woman weaves the dyed threads into a specific pattern.

The final textiles are a wonderful plethora of patterns and colors, reflecting the culture and history of the Andean peoples.

Geometrical shapes, representations of the Cosmos and the Andean Cross are quite prominent in many textiles.

Friends Ellie and Art pose with a local vendor in Pisac.