In-Person Tatreez 101 Workshop in North Phoenix, Arizona

Join me on Saturday, December 14 from 3:15-5:45 pm for an interactive and unique workshop to learn the most iconic embroidery stitch from Palestine: the Fallahi or cross stitch.

The tradition of tatreez has always been a dynamic art, passed down and adapted through generations of Palestinian women. In this spirit, I will teach you how to embroider a historical motif and then guide you through developing your own original motif that you can pass on to future generations.

Location: North Phoenix, near the intersection of I-17 and 101. The exact location will be provided to you after registering.

***Note: Seats are limited, so be sure to register before tickets run out!

This workshop is for people who:

• are Palestinian and want to engage with their culture and contribute to its continuation and survival
• are not Palestinian and want to participate in the critical project of preserving Palestinian traditions
• have some experience with hand-sewing or embroidery
• have ZERO experience with sewing, embroidery, or any craft
• are at least 13 years or older
• can count to 25 or higher

By the end of this workshop, you will:

• know how to do a basic cross stitch - Palestinian style
• have a complete (or almost complete) small embroidery piece with a traditional Palestinian motif that you can frame or turn into a bookmark or trinket
• understand the history and significance of embroidery to Palestinians before and after the Nakba
• have designed your own unique Palestinian-style embroidery motif
• feel empowered to attempt other cross-stitch motifs on your own

In this workshop, we will use Sashiko thread, a type of embroidery thread originating in Japan. Here's why:

• For the past century (give or take) Palestinians have used DMC embroidery thread for tatreez. This past year Palestinian tatreez artists delivered a letter to DMC asking them to take a stand in light of current events and their response was insufficient and disappointing, to say the least. In light of this, I went in search of alternatives and stumbled upon Sashiko.
• I will be supplying Sashiko thread that has been dyed with botanicals such as indigo, which is more in line with Palestinian embroidery traditions prior to colonization and the introduction of European products.
• Sashiko thread is also available in a weight similar to what is traditionally used in Palestinian embroidery and comes in a single strand that is not meant to be split (unlike embroidery floss).
• Tatreez is a dynamic tradition that adapts to the times, locations, available materials, and cultures its practitioners live in and interact with.

Need help selecting a motif?

• If you are a total novice or struggle with counting, I would recommend choosing the Cactus or Braid motif
• If you have some experience with hand sewing or embroidery or just enjoy a challenge, I would recommend the Coffee Bean or Clove motif
• If you want something that isn't too complicated, but you're ok with counting, then the Baqlawa motif is the one for you

No matter which motif you choose, each one is suitable for beginners and I will be there to guide you and provide support throughout the workshop.

About Your Instructor

Hi and marhaba! My name is Farah and I am a Palestinian graphic designer, crafter, and artist. I had spent years of my life longing to learn tatreez, but, like many growing up in diaspora, didn't have anyone to teach me. I finally got the opportunity to learn in 2020 and it opened up a whole world for me. I had no clue about the variety of embroidery techniques that existed beyond the cross-stitch or what motifs were traditionally used in the region my family comes from. Through this workshop (and hopefully future ones!), I hope to give you the same opportunity and help to preserve Palestinian cultural traditions in the diaspora.

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