The first step in the slipper-making process is to obtain the wool from sheep by first shearing them and then washing the wool in hot water with shampoo. This part of the process helps remove the oil left by the sheep. Once the wool is washed, it is rinsed with warm water and then left to dry in the sun or near a heat source.
When the wool is ready, colors are chosen for it. Where? In the forest. The colorful dyes come from a variety of natural sources found around the island. Leaves, branches, fruits, roots, barks and flowers are just some of the foundations for colors used in the dyes through a process of boiling them with the wool so that it takes on their hues.
Our artisans tell us that the Pillopillo, a native tree, provides a range of interesting green shades to combine. If they are looking for a slightly darker green, they use the Cinnamon Tree. For yellows, they look for oxidized apples, along with apple tree leaves and branches. And so on with other colors…
To dye the wool, the leaves, branches and other elements are boiled in a pot on a stove, the liquid is strained and then white wool is added to it. The higher the heat, the better the color. Once this process is finished, the wool is cooled in the same water, wrung out and then dried on a stove. When the artisans have finished dyeing all the wool, the last stage begins: the weaving of the wool, but that’s a story unto itself.
