Glorious Folk Traditions.
Palestine, Jordan, and Syria — a region where stitches flourished alongside history itself.
These lands feature a tremendous number of beautiful and unique stitches that gave each dress its identity, weaving together stories of place, tradition, and artistry.
Palestine
Palestinian embroidery, or tatreez al-falastini, boasts a broad variety of stitches. It is far more than the Qutbe al-Fallahieh (cross-stitch). A rich collection of stitches developed across the centuries, giving rise to different styles from region to region, and even village to village. It is through the patterns, the materials, and these stitches that the Palestinian thobe expresses its deep identity.
Stitch Library of Palestine
Jordan
As for Jordan, being connected to the world through the Hejaz Railway, Jordan became a crossroads between East and West, North and South. Its embroidery stitches developed uniquely in this meeting place, creating forms and techniques that existed nowhere else in the world. The Jordanian dress, or shirsh, was worn by Bedouin, village, and town-dwelling women alike. Some stitches, like the raqmeh, are found only in Jordan.
Stitch Library of Jordan coming soon
Syria
Syria, once a center for weaving and rich textiles, developed an exceptional number of stitches. In the Qalamoun area alone, a single dress could feature more than ten different embroidery stitches. Syria’s rich stitching tradition mirrored its vibrant role as a cultural and artistic hub of the Levant.
Stitch Library of Syria coming soon