Tatreez Talk

DANA IS A TATREEZ ARTIST, ALSO KNOWN ONLINE AS TATREEZ WITH DANDUNA (@tatreez.with.danduna). In this episode of Tatreez Talk, we sit down for an honest and moving conversation about how tatreez became an unexpected yet deeply powerful part of Dana’s life. She shares how her Palestinian roots shaped her identity, and how the events of 2021 and the ongoing genocide since October 7th catalyzed a shift in her activism and creative expr...

NATALIE TAHHAN, A FASHION DESIGNER, ILLUSTRATOR AND INSTRUCTOR AT BIRZEIT UNIVERSITY (@natalietahhanofficial/@ntstudi0). Natalie shares her unique life journey, growing up in Doha after being born in Jerusalem, and the deep-rooted pull that eventually led her to return to Palestine. 

She opens up about the difficult decision to return in 2015 to protect her Jerusalem ID, facing financial and legal challenges to preserve her connecti...

ZEINA IS A JEWELRY DESIGNER AND FOUNDER OF ASHERAH JEWELLERY, DEDICATED TO CELEBRATING, PRESERVING, AND RAISING AWARENESS OF PALESTINIAN TATREEZ THROUGH HANDMADE BEADED JEWELRY (@ asherahjewelleryuk). Together, we hear about her journey as a half-Palestinian, half-Iraqi artist, growing up in a culturally rich household that shaped her creative identity. 

From her family roots in Ramleh to the deep influence of her mother’s pride in ...

ANA IS A PALESTINIAN COLOMBIAN MUSICIAN, STUDENT, TATREEZ ARTIST AND TEACHER (@verde_a_zaytouna). In this episode, she shares how tatreez became a profound act of self-discovery, storytelling, and connection—to Palestine, Palestinians, and even her own family. More than just embroidery—it became a form of reclaiming history, understanding geography, and strengthening ties to the broader Palestinian community.

Ana also reveals how he...

This bonus episode comes from a place of urgency: A new Kickstarter campaign is exploiting Palestinian embroidery under the guise of collaboration. This isn’t just about tatreez—it’s about cultural appropriation and the systemic barriers Palestinian artisans face while others profit from our heritage.

Joining us are:

• Bisan Alhajhasan – Lawyer & founder of Thobnah, a platform that shows Palestine through our thobes.
• Salma Shawa...

FATIMA IS A TATREEZ ARTIST, CREATOR, ACTIVIST, AND ANOTHER FRIEND FROM LAST YEAR’S TATREEZ RETREAT (@olives_and_cedar). In this episode, she introduces us to the term “Soul Ties” and the deep meaning behind it—something that couldn’t resonate more.

For those of us in the diaspora, staying connected to our identity and to Palestine is essential. Fatima offers a powerful way to do so through “Soul Ties,” and spoiler alert, Fatima has ...

The wait is over! We’re thrilled to officially announce the details of the next annual THE Tatreez Retreat – a gathering designed to create an opportunity for tatreez artists to meet and stitch like never before. 🌿✨

You’ll hear about:

>> Where and when the retreat will take place

>> What to expect – workshops, cultural experiences, and meaningful connections

>> Why this is the ultimate opportunity to deepen your tatr...

HALIMA IS THE ARTIST AND DESIGNER BEHIND THE INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT @PALESTINIANARTIST. Halima shares her journey into art, how she uses embroidery and other mediums to tell Palestinian stories, and the deep cultural significance of her work.

The conversation delves into the role of art in preserving Palestinian heritage, Halima’s experiences exhibiting her pieces in museums, and the tatreez workshops she’s been leading across Germany. S...

PAM IS A PALESTINIAN CERAMIC TATREEZ ARTIST AND ACTIVIST (@totahstudio). Pam shares how tatreez connects her to Palestinian heritage, preserving stories and fostering community, especially in the diaspora. She reflects on the joys and challenges of learning tatreez, from selecting patterns to its meditative nature.

The conversation explores tatreez in modern contexts, from fashion to activism, and its resilience in preserving identi...

SAMAR IS A PALESTINIAN ORGANIZER AND NEW FRIEND WE MADE DURING THE 2024 TATREEZ RETREAT (@s.amooraa; @tatreez.w.samoor). Despite growing up with embroidered pieces at home, she found a deeper connection to her culture through stitching with her mother and sister.

She discusses how tatreez has become central to her community organizing, especially since October 7, 2023. In Philadelphia, local tatreez circles have become spaces for Pa...

S3E3. ADVOCATING FOR CULTURAL RESILIENCE WITH SABRENE

SABRENE IS THE CO-DIRECTOR OF BALADNA WHICH HOSTS PALESTINIAN EVENTS FOR THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST COMMUNITY, A TATREEZ INSTRUCTOR, COMMUNITY ADVOCATE AND PROUD PALESTINIAN (@sabreneodeh). 

Through her work, she helps foster a sense of community and cultural pride among Palestinians in the diaspora, providing a space to celebrate and preserve heritage. As a tatreez instructor, Sabrene...

S3E2. DIGITALIZING TATREEZ WITH TASNEEM

TASNEEM IS A TATREEZ ARTIST, CHEST PANEL FANATIC, AND DIGITALIZER (@tasneemtatreez). Tasneem shares her journey into Palestinian embroidery and how she balances tradition with modernity. From her early days of stitching to becoming a digital pattern creator, her story highlights the resilience and beauty of cultural preservation.

Learn about the art of digitalizing tatreez and the dedication it...

S3E1. REFLECTING ON A YEAR OF TATREEZ STORIES

IN THIS EPISODE, WE’RE CELEBRATING ONE YEAR OF TATREEZ TALK! Join us as we reflect on both the podcast and our tatreez journeys over the last year. Guaranteed to laugh and get excited on what’s to come!

Last Year’s Key Highlights:

• 37 talented Palestinian artists interviewed from across the global diaspora
• Growth of local Bay Area Tatreez circles and community building
• Both of us transiti...

S2E12. THE FINANCIAL VALUE OF TATREEZ

IN THIS EPISODE, WE’RE CHATTING WITH EACH OTHER ABOUT THE FINANCIAL VALUE OF TATREEZ. What does that mean exactly? We want to talk about issues surrounding paying people appropriately for their work – whether it’s a tatreez class, a handmade thobe, or a tatreez art piece.

We discuss why proper valuation matters, the costs involved in creating handmade tatreez, and the role of educators ...

S2E11. HERITAGE THROUGH FIBER ARTS WITH NADIA

IN THIS EPISODE, WE’RE JOINED BY NADIA, A CRAFTSPERSON AND FIBER ARTIST (@HOPEANDHEARTSHOP). For Nadia, tatreez is a gateway to not only her personal identity but to opening up conversations with family members and others about Palestinian history, experience, and cultural heritage.

Nadia recounts her initial exposure to this traditional art form, how it seamlessly intersects with the man...

IN THIS EPISODE, WE’RE JOINED BY LINDA FROM THE HALEEMAH PROJECT (@THEHALEEMAHPROJECT), AN INITIATIVE WHERE SHE, ALONGSIDE FAMILY AND FRIENDS, SELLS PATTERNS AND CREATES CUSTOMIZED PIECES FOR DONATIONS. Linda shares her poignant journey of learning tatreez from her grandmother, sharing invaluable tips and techniques that have been passed down through generations. She offers a compelling overview of the Haleemah Project, named in ho...

S2E9. THE ART OF QUIET REBELLION WITH SAMAR

SAMAR HEJAZI IS A VISUAL ARTIST, TATREEZ ARTIST AND TEACHER (@TATREEZ.SAMAR). Samar shares her journey of finding identity through visual arts and, ultimately, through the art of tatreez. She reflects on how it became a medium for understanding and expressing themes of home, land, and nation, and dives into her creative process and experiments with different materials.

As a dedicated teache...

S2E8. TATREEZ ISN’T JUST FOR TETAS WITH JENIN

JENIN IS A TATREEZ ENTHUSIAST, ARTIST AND EDUCATOR (@TATREEZJENIN). She’s a natural storyteller and shares her tatreez journey through moments and stories – We guarantee you’ll laugh and giggle throughout this episode!

Jenin, who is from everywhere but Jenin, speaks about everything from her formative years living in Palestine to how her relationship with tatreez has changed over many yea...

S2E7. LEARNING TO MAKE A THOBE WITH DIANA

DIANA IS A PALESTINIAN-JORDANIAN TATREEZ PRACTITIONER BORN AND RAISED IN JORDAN, AND NOW BASED IN THE US (@DIANADHN). Like many of us in the diaspora, both in the Middle East and abroad, Diana has a deep connection to Palestine and it was her grandmother who inspired her tatreez journey. 

She recounts the early days of beginning tatreez and learning to make a thobe with a khalto, an unforgett...