Tatreez (تطريز) is the Arabic word for embroidery. In Palestine it names a particular tradition: dense, geometric cross-stitch, worked by hand onto the chest panels, sleeves and side seams of the thobe, the traditional dress.
A language written in thread
For generations, a woman's thobe told you where she came from. Each region had its own motifs, colours and layouts — the deep reds of Ramallah, the dense chest panels of Bethlehem, the bold triangles of the south. Motifs carried meaning too: cypress trees for strength, wheat ears for the harvest, the eight-pointed star to guide the way home.
A living craft
Tatreez was traditionally learned at home, by watching and stitching beside older women. Today it is taught in workshops and online, and stitched onto jackets, bags and framed pieces as well as dresses. In 2021, UNESCO added the art of embroidery in Palestine to its list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
How to begin
- Get the basics: a piece of 14-count Aida or evenweave fabric, cotton embroidery thread, a blunt tapestry needle and a hoop.
- Choose a simple motif: a border such as the cypress or wheat ear is ideal — small, repeating and forgiving.
- Learn one stitch: tatreez is built almost entirely from the cross-stitch. Keep every top stitch crossing in the same direction and your work will look even.
- Stitch with others: it is a craft that has always been shared.
Ready? Browse beginner charts in our Pattern Library, or learn live in Tatreez Foundations.