Stitches of Palestine
What gives a Palestinian thobe its identity? Beyond its intricate patterns, it’s the stitches that craft it. Drawing on 10 years of close study with renowned collector Widad Kawar and her unparalleled collection of historic Palestinian dresses, Stitches of Palestine is the most comprehensive book of its kind.
Discover the stitches that Hold a heritage together in a new book by Salua Qidan and Laila Mushahwar
The story behind Stitches of Palestine
Watch the full conversation
Join authors Salua Qidan and Laila Mushahwar as they discuss their journey of documenting Palestinian village life, untangling regional embroidery styles, and preserving a rich cultural heritage before the 1948 Nakba and after.
27 minutes
Explore chapters
CHAPTER (10 min)
A 10 Minute Tour of the Book
Watch the authors flip through the six chapters, from the historical background and dress anatomy to the geographical distribution maps and the gallery of stitches.
CHAPTER (4 min)
Studying with Widad Kawar.. and a mini tour of Tiraz
Hear how this project grew through years of close study with renowned archivist Widad Kawar in a private basement filled with historical dresses.
CHAPTER (5 min)
Tatreez is gaining popularity, but its craft is getting diluted
This book was born out of necessity. As Tatreez proliferates there is a risk of the details of the craft, and its origins to be lost in the cracks.
Inside the book
Stitches of Palestine reveals the technical foundations of Tatreez, the embroidery tradition passed through generations of Palestinian women.
At over 300 pages, the book features:
The Complete Anatomy
A detailed study of the Palestinian dress, its structure, materials, and evolution over time.
Geographic Exploration
10 regional embroidery traditions across Palestine, from Ramallah and Bethlehem to the Galilee and Bedouin communities.
Stitch Gallery
A 50-page illustrated guide to more than 25 traditional stitches with step-by-step instruction.
Unrivalled Visuals
Over 500 documented images of dresses, textiles, and embroidery details linked to technical analysis.
Practical Applications
Exercises for practitioners of Tatreez, showing how to copy designs, identify stitches, and work with contemporary materials.
Who this book
is for
Whether you are a scholar, maker, designer, or simply drawn to Palestinian culture, Stitches of Palestine offers a grounded entry into the study of embroidery, dress, and material heritage.
This book is designed for:
Practitioners & Makers
Seeking clear, step-by-step guidance to understand and work with traditional Tatreez.
Fashion & Textile Designers
Looking for a deeper understanding of how structure, stitch, and material come together in design.
Historians & Enthusiasts
Interested in the regional diversity of Palestinian dress and its social and cultural contexts.
Stitches of Palestine is an essential resource for cultural institutions, museums, and exhibition spaces, offering a comprehensive look at the hidden language of Palestinian embroidery
For museums, archives, & cultural institutions
Anchoring Palestinian garments in history
Beyond highlighting the aesthetic beauty of the textiles, this book situates Palestinian dresses within their rich historical and social context. It serves as a profound testament to pre-1948 village life. The book provides institutions with a vital tool for educating audiences about the lived realities behind the garments
An essential exhibition companion
With over 500 images of historic textiles, a 50-page illustrated stitch gallery, and detailed anatomical breakdowns of the Palestinian dress, this book is the perfect accompaniment to museum exhibitions.the book's highly visual layout allows museum visitors to deeply engage with the complex technical artistry of the thobe long after they leave the gallery
For bulk institutional orders or exhibition partnerships, please contact us.
Meet the authors
Salua Qidan
Founder of Folkglory and Creative Director of Tiraz.
An architect turned cultural designer who specializes in the analysis and classification of traditional dresses from Palestine, Jordan and the wider Mashreq region. She spent years working closely with the Widad Kawar Collection to map and document it.
Laila Mushahwar
Director of Tiraz Centre.
With a background in communication and publishing, she directs Tiraz’ activities, programs and exhibitions to engage audiences with the Widad Kawar Collection. As the granddaughter of Widad Kawar, she was exposed to the collection from an early age.
Bring the heritage home
Fast worldwide shipping with FedEx