Hispanic settlers made a large impact on Southwest weaving traditions. For example, they introduced weaving with the wool of churro sheep and the use of indigo dye imported from Mexico in the mid-1500s. It would be another century until they developed their own commercial weaving industry in the Rio Grande Valley, which untimatley competed with the Navajo weaving trade. This blanket, referred to as a Rio Grande blanket, was woven on a horizontal treadle loom in weft-faced plain weave, and would have been used for both as a wearing blanket and for bedding.