What is the Tatreez Archive?
Tatreez embroidery is a cross stitch technique that has been passed down in Palestinian families for generations. It is a symbol of Palestinian culture and is traditionally taught by Palestinian women to their daughters and granddaughters. Tatreez designs come from all over Palestine and can represent a specific village or city, an aspect of Palestinian life such as the landscape, or even the history. Our mission with the Tatreez Archive is to help keep this handcrafted tradition alive by inviting Palestinians around the world to submit motifs from their family heirlooms, as well as working with tatreez artists in Palestine to make products for the Darzah ethical fashion brand.
How do I search for motifs?
You can use the search bar at the top of the homepage to search for motifs by any relevant keywords, such as a Palestinian village or city, and by any theme, such as flowers, plants or animals.
Can I submit a motif that’s already listed?
Yes! We encourage you to submit tatreez with as much information about the motif as possible. Each motif also can appear differently depending on the threads used and how it’s incorporated with other designs.
Can I submit anonymously?
Yes, if you want to submit a motif without providing your personal information you can do that by hitting “upload” on the homepage and then selecting “submit anonymously”.
Why must submissions be reviewed?
We review each submission to ensure the photos are high quality, and that there is sufficient information about the motif before posting. The aim of the Tatreez Archive is to provide as much information about tatreez motifs that contributors wish to share.
How can I support you?
As a 501(c)3 non-profit, we do accept donations for our women’s economic empowerment initiative in Palestine. All donations are tax-deductible in the United States. You can also support our initiative by shopping Darzah and Child’s Cup Full, and by contributing content or submitting a message to improve a listing.