Ubedíes Artesanía is devoted to the craft of esparto.

The firm’s artisanal process starts with the gathering of esparto grass. The fibre is left to dry for several days so as to obtain raw esparto, which may be plaited in various ways, normally in pleita braiding… or capacho or cofín weaving.

In the pleita technique, raw esparto is braided in ribbon-like strips whose width is measured by the number of strands or bundles of esparto used: from 11 to 33 intertwined strands, depending solely on the skill of the esparto weaver. Each strand normally contains eight esparto fibres. Once the braids have been woven, they are arranged in parallel or spirally. The strips are sewn together in square, round, oval or even asymmetric forms so as to make blinds, curtains, mats, hall runners, wainscoting, parasols, etc. The materials used are esparto and hemp yarn; the tools, a sackcloth needle and scissors.

Capacho or cofín sheets are used for making mats, rugs, parasols, etc. This technique involves forming spirals of esparto strands or bundles that are suitable for working into circular or oval forms, with no need for sewing. The material is esparto and no tools are used.

The techniques are simple in theory but complex in practice, due to the large number of esparto fibres to be handled with two hands.