The use of hand-operated looms is becoming a thing of the past as modern technology takes over, but they do still exist in some of the more remote areas, being used to produce special articles for export purposes.
There is Grazalema in Cádiz province which produces wool blankets, and Almería, where coarsely woven rugs known as ‘jarapas’ are produced. In Málaga, the Madraza factory is well-known for traditional carpets, tapestry and other decorative textiles, where motifs from the 17th and 18th centuries are used.
Granada is famous for its intricate embroidery, as well as carpet and tapestry weaving. The Alpujarra region is famous for the weaving of Moorish-style rugs, wall-hangings and a fabric known as ‘alpujarreño’, which is widely used for curtains and upholstery. Andalucia in general is also famous for its hand-embroidered flamenco dresses and finely embroidered silk shawls known as ‘mantón de Manila’.