Wafa Ghnaim, author of Tatreez & Tea: Embroidery and Storytelling in the Palestinian Diaspora, will teach you how to embroider traditional Palestinian motifs. Palestinian tatreez embroidery is a centuries-old folk art, traditionally passed from mother to daughter over a cup of tea.

In this 3 hour workshop, students will learn how to embroider, Palestinian style! Students will learn traditional embroidery techniques used by Palestinian women for centuries — cross-stitching on Aida cloth fabric. Students will leave with an embroidered design mounted in an embroidery hoop to commemorate their first piece.

Motif Focus: There are hundreds of small and medium Tree of Life or Cypress Tree motifs in traditional Palestinian costume. Wafa will be offering two Tree of Life pattern cards — one for beginners and one for more seasoned stitchers.

Tatreez & Tea’s mission is to provide educational resources, namely through workshops, lectures and publications, to preserve Palestinian tatreez embroidery, folk arts and storytelling traditions in the diaspora.