My Tatreez Journey: How I Started Min Amanne Tatreez Designs
Growing up in a Palestinian household, Tatreez was always present in my life. I didn’t practice it, nor did I see anyone in my family actively stitching, but it was there—on a pillowcase, hanging on a wall, or embroidered onto the dresses my elders wore at parties.
My dad’s family is from the Nablus region, where Tatreez wasn’t a major tradition among the women. My mom’s family, originally from the Ramla region, was displaced in 1948, and they lost most of their possessions before permanently relocating to Brazil after 1967. Because of this, I didn’t inherit hand-stitched thobes from my grandmothers—just a couple of machine-made thobes I bought that rarely left my closet.
Discovering Tatreez for Myself
At some point, I started looking for a creative outlet, and—for the first time—Tatreez popped into my head as something I could learn. As someone who describes herself as aggressively Palestinian, I felt like Tatreez was something I should know how to do, or at the very least, understand better.
With no one in my family to teach me, I turned to YouTube University in 2018. That’s when I found Roba Yusuf’s videos on supplies, books, and the fundamentals of Tatreez Fallahi. I immediately fell in love—the symmetry of the designs, the way the fabric grid felt like a map, and, of course, the calm that came with the physical act of stitching.
I’ve always craved creativity but tended to give up on things that didn’t instantly click for me. Luckily, Tatreez clicked right away. More than that, it excited me. I couldn’t wait to pick up my needle and thread.
Since there weren’t many accessible Tatreez patterns at the time, I started by copying designs from pillowcases brought back from Palestine. But before long, I had the urge to create my own. Stitch by stitch, I started discovering what I was drawn to—the colors that interested me, the motifs that resonated most. Without realizing it, I was developing my own personal Tatreez style.
My friend's mom brought back a bunch of pillow cases from Gaza that I photographed and copied.
I’ve never been the black thobe with red stitching type, and honestly, Tatreez design extends far beyond the standard thobes found in every Downtown Amman store.
Finding Community and Deepening My Knowledge
In 2020, I finally had the chance to take formal Tatreez classes! I joined online workshops with Tatreez & Tea and The Thobe Project, where I learned more about technique and history. Through these classes, I met other Tatreez artists—many of whom, like me, had turned to stitching for solace during the pandemic.
Let me pause to say: the digital Tatreez community we have today is a beautiful blessing. I wish it had existed when I first started, but I’m grateful to be part of it now.
Back when Tatreez still felt niche, I looked to Western embroidery and cross-stitch communities for learning and connection. I joined r/crossstitch and a few Facebook groups, where I began sharing my work. The encouragement I received was overwhelming—people wanted to stitch my original designs, asked for more, and even non-Palestinians were eager to learn about Tatreez.
Fun fact: I actually met Asma (@hereforthetatreez) through Reddit!
As my passion grew, I started connecting with more Tatreezers in real life. Locally, I had Asma and Cady, and together, we decided to build a space for other Bay Area Tatreezers. That’s how the SF Bay Area Tatreez Circle was born—a group that has now grown to over 100+ Palestinians and allies who gather monthly to stitch in community. Some meetups are small and intimate; others bring in a full house. But no matter the size, every gathering is filled with warmth and good people.
Our first SF Bay Area Tatreez Circle at Refugee Eye Gallery
Teaching Tatreez and Hosting Retreats
Teaching wasn’t something I ever planned to do—it just happened. After a few requests, I gave it a shot and was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. Teaching Tatreez has given me another way to connect with people through Palestine.
Then in 2022, I went on a yoga retreat. It was my first time doing anything like that (and admittedly, I’m not much of a yoga person). But during the retreat, I kept thinking, This would be amazing, but with Tatreez.
I mentioned the idea to Lina and Bayan, and a few months later, I found myself in NYC, having dinner with Lina, mapping it out. We instantly settled on October in Santa Fe. A few days later, I sent voice notes to Bayan, and just like that, she was in.
That’s how The Tatreez Retreat was born.
In October 2023, a small group of Tatreezers gathered in Santa Fe—just two weeks after the start of the most recent genocide in Gaza. It was an incredibly heavy time, filled with fear, uncertainty, and grief. But being together brought us some comfort.
I wasn't joking about the voice notes. Bayan and I enjoy podcast style voice notes.
Launching Tatreez Talk
As I met more Palestinians through Tatreez, I became fascinated by their reasons for stitching. My nosiness made me want to know everyone’s story.
A few months before the retreat, I brought up the idea of a podcast with Lina. I thought she’d be the perfect co-host—her work is dedicated to storytelling through Tatreez, and we balance each other well.
She claims she doesn’t remember, but at first, she turned me down—she was too busy.
I didn’t let it go.
Eventually, Tatreez Talk was born!
Living and Breathing Tatreez
Somehow, I went from thinking of Tatreez as an old-school tradition to letting it completely take over my life. Between Min Amanne Tatreez Designs, the SF Bay Area Tatreez Circle, The Tatreez Retreat, and Tatreez Talk, I am living and breathing Tatreez—and it’s an absolute blessing.
This journey has given me opportunities I never imagined. I’ve taught Tatreez workshops at Pixar, Stanford University, and LinkedIn. My artwork has been exhibited at the California Academy of Sciences. And most importantly, I’ve met so many incredible Tatreez artists from all over the world.
Looking Ahead
I know my Tatreez journey is just beginning.
I have a long list of things I want to do—projects, collaborations, community-building. I want to partner with more Palestinian creatives, inside and outside the Tatreez world. I want to travel throughout the diaspora, meeting other Palestinian Tatreez artists. I want to curate Tatreez art shows that highlight our artists and showcase our beautiful, traditional art to the world.
I am deeply humbled by the love and support this community continues to give me. I hope my work honors our ancestors and makes Palestinians proud of who we are.
Thank you for being part of my Tatreez journey.