Tatreez Talk

Tatreez Talk
  • 5.0 (50)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Tatreez Talk is a the podcast that stitches together the vibrant narratives of Palestinian embroidery! Join us as we chat with talented embroiderers and artists, sharing their stories, inspirations, and the cultural significance behind each meticulously crafted piece. Thread your needle, press play, and let the stories unfold…one stitch at a time.

  1. 12/04/2025

    S5E12. The Body in the Thobe with Samar

    Send us a text SAMAR HUSSAINI IS A FINE ARTIST WHO HAS INCORPORATED TATREEZ INTO HER BEAUTIFUL WORK (@samardesignsandart). Samar shares her powerful family history rooted in Jerusalem, tracing her grandparents’ forced displacement in 1948, her grandfather’s scholarly work, and her parents’ lifelong political activism. Growing up between the U.S. and her Palestinian heritage, she reflects on the deep influence of her family—particularly the women—who preserved culture, education, and resilience across generations. She describes how tatreez re-emerged in her life through inherited pieces, memories of her grandmother teaching her, and eventually through her work as a fine artist. Samar now creates sculptural thobes and layered paintings incorporating image transfers of tatreez, remnants of family embroidery, and even fragments of her father’s political writings. Her work centers on absence, memory, land, and the emotional experience of Palestinians in the diaspora. Samar emphasizes how art allows her to humanize Palestinians and shift narratives in gallery spaces, often serving as her form of activism. She shares emotional stories of viewers who had never met a Palestinian before, and how her work creates openings for connection, empathy, and dialogue. She also discusses passing tatreez to her daughter and the life lessons—patience, calmness, embracing mistakes—that stitching helped instill. You’ll hear about: >> 00:52: Samar’s connection to Palestine >> 08:11: Connection with tatreez >> 12:28: Incorporating tatreez into Samar’s fine art >> 15:56: What Samar hopes people takeaway from her art >> 21:44: Interacting with visitors viewing her art >> 27:25: The role of art in Palestinian liberation >> 28:46: What’s next for Samar >> 36:36: Samar’s major life lesson from tatreez Rate, Review, & Follow on Your Favorite Podcast Platform “I love Palestinian embroidery and Tatreez Talk.” > Samar Designs Website >> Meredith Woolnough on Instagram (water soluble embroidery technique) Boycott Resolute RGL. Click here for more information. Boycott ZARA and all Inditex brands—Bershka, Massimo Dutti, Pull & Bear, Stradivarius, Oysho, ZARA Home. Click here for more information. Follow us @tatreeztalk Follow Amanne @minamanne & Lina @linasthobe

    44 min

  2. 11/27/2025

    S5E11. Heritage Work as Liberation Work with Hadil of Thoub Tale

    Send us a text HADIL IS AN ACTIVIST AND CREATOR BEHIND  THOUB TALE, ALONGSIDE HER VISIONARY MOTHER RABA (@thoub.tale). She shares her family’s displacement from Dayr Aban and how growing up near Al-Baqa’a refugee camp shaped her commitment to identity and struggle. Moving to New York revealed the repression of Palestinian identity in the U.S., clarifying her purpose: to speak intentionally about Palestine and her family’s history. Raba is the original visionary behind Thoub Tale, which collects and preserves vintage Palestinian thobes. Hadil joined to support logistics and social media, but soon fell in love with tatreez itself—studying motifs as a coded language of women’s memory, carrying history, geography, emotion, and resistance. Today, Hadil and Raba upcycle vintage embroidery into modern garments in ways that honor sustainability and protect ancestral work, prioritizing pieces returning to Palestinian hands. Hadil hopes future generations approach tatreez not just as aesthetics, but as a living practice of liberation, storytelling, and connection to land. You’ll hear about: >> 1:18: Hadil’s connection to Palestine >> 2:47: Experience growing up in Jordan and then moving to the US >> 6:59: Introduction to tatreez and the start of Thoub Tale >> 13:10: A story of an orange vintage thobe >> 16:03: The process of collecting and upcycling vintage athwab >> 23:01: Customers and cultural appropriation conversations >> 31:22: What Hadil hopes future generations will take from tatreez >> 43:56: What’s next >> 46:11: Major life lessons from tatreez Rate, Review, & Follow on Your Favorite Podcast Platform “I love Palestinian embroidery and Tatreez Talk.” > Thobe by 47SOUL Boycott Resolute RGL. Click here for more information. Boycott ZARA and all Inditex brands—Bershka, Massimo Dutti, Pull & Bear, Stradivarius, Oysho, ZARA Home. Click here for more information. Follow us @tatreeztalk Follow Amanne @minamanne & Lina @linasthobe

    52 min

  3. 11/20/2025

    S5E10. When Tradition Meets Technology with Belal

    Send us a text BELAL HERBAWI IS A PALESTINIAN GRAPHIC DESIGNER AND PHD RESEARCHER WHOSE WORK FOCUSES ON DIGITIZING AND REINTRODUCING TRADITIONAL TATREEZ MOTIFS INTO CONTEMPORARY DESIGN (@belalherbawi). He grew up in Hebron in a family deeply rooted in textile production—his family owns Hirbawi, the last keffiyeh factory—which shaped his early connection to Palestinian cultural identity and craft. Over time, Belal began learning to stitch himself and immersed in workshops that explored tatreez as meditation, restoration, and creativity. Through his PhD project, he works to digitize motifs and develop a designer’s manual that helps graphic designers use tatreez patterns respectfully while keeping their cultural context intact. He also created Threads of Creativity, a collaborative initiative bringing together artisans and designers—locally and internationally—to reinterpret motifs and generate new compositions for posters, interiors, objects, and digital design. Belal emphasizes that tatreez must remain rooted in its origins and stories, even as colors, formats, and applications evolve. For him, the goal is to make tatreez a living part of everyday Palestinian visual life—not only in fashion, but in branding, interiors, public design, and global creative dialogue. Throughout his journey, the practice has taught him patience, intentionality, and the value of giving time and care to one’s craft—the same values embodied by Palestinian women who carried this tradition forward for generations. You’ll hear about: >> 1:49: Belal’s connection to Palestine and Palestinian textiles >> 5:42: Why and how Belal focuses on tatreez >> 9:04: Tatreez (design) workshops in Palestine >> 16:33: Belal’s tatreez design journey >> 21:30: Innovating tatreez and making tatreez accessible, to non-Palestinians too >> 26:40: The bigger vision of Belal’s project >> 34:23: Evolution of Belal’s art after tatreez >> 37:00: What’s next for Belal >> 40:38: Major life lesson from tatreez Rate, Review, & Follow on Your Favorite Podcast Platform “I love Palestinian embroidery and Tatreez Talk.” – If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! This helps us elevate the vibrant narratives of Palestinian embroiderers and support more tatreez-ers — just like you — in learning more about tatreez and connecting with each other. You can find us on Spotify, Apple Podcast, and others -- just scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let us know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. We’re adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now! Boycott Resolute RGL. Click here for more information. Boycott ZARA and all Inditex brands—Bershka, Massimo Dutti, Pull & Bear, Stradivarius, Oysho, ZARA Home. Click here for more information. Follow us @tatreeztalk Follow Amanne @minamanne & Lina @linasthobe

    46 min

  4. 11/13/2025

    S5E9. A Modern Silk Road with Maki & Hanin

    Send us a text MAKI IS THE FOUNDER OF THE PALESTINIAN OBI PROJECT (@palestinian_embroidery_obi), BLENDING TATREEZ WITH THE JAPANESE KIMONO AFTER EXPERIENCING PALESTINIAN LIFE AND HOSPITALITY. HANIN IS A MUSLIM-PALESTINIAN AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZER BASED IN TOKYO (@hanin.gaza.jp). In this episode, we explore how Maki’s visits to Palestine over the last decade led to a cultural exchange project that bridges Japanese and Palestinian craft traditions. Working with Palestinian women artisans, the obi belts have become both art and quiet activism—sparking conversations about history, identity, and occupation. Hanin shares how tatreez remains a grounding practice and a form of cultural preservation in times of war, while her organizing connects fundraising, political education, and community storytelling. Together, they show how tatreez continues to live, adapt, and resist. Connect via Instagram to buy an obi, stay updated on events, and get involved with Hanin’s work. You’ll hear about: >> 1:07: Hanin & Maki-San’s connections to Palestine >> 5:24: Maki’s introduction to tatreez and the inspiration to blend with the Japanese kimono >> 8:06: Hanin’s tatreez journey >> 12:10: The Palestinian Obi Project, their customers, and exhibitions >> 18:15: How Hanin got involved with the Palestinian Obi Project >> 24:43: The people and the process behind the embroidered obis >> 27:44: Impact of the genocide (and COVID) on the production process >> 30:31: Tatreez shaping activism in Japan, both silent and loud  >> 41:41: Goals for the Palestinian Obi Project and what’s next >> 49:30: Major life lesson from tatreez Rate, Review, & Follow on Your Favorite Podcast Platform “I love Palestinian embroidery and Tatreez Talk.” > [Gaza] Atfaluna >> [Gaza] Sulafa >> [West Bank] Society of Inaash AlUsra Boycott Resolute RGL. Click here for more information. Boycott ZARA and all Inditex brands—Bershka, Massimo Dutti, Pull & Bear, Stradivarius, Oysho, ZARA Home. Click here for more information. Follow us @tatreeztalk Follow Amanne @minamanne & Lina @linasthobe

    58 min

  5. 11/06/2025

    S5E8. Redefining Heritage with Hama

    Send us a text HAMA IS THE OWNER AND FOUNDER OF HAMA, A BRAND MAKING BESPOKE FASHION, CUSTOM TATREEZ ORDERS, READY TO WEAR, ART AND ACCESSORIES (@hama_lifestyle). She begins by sharing her personal connection to Palestine—her name, inspired by poetry, symbolizes the “summit,” and her visit to Palestine in 2010 profoundly shifted her life. Witnessing realities on the ground, from factory struggles to daily restrictions, deepened her connection to heritage. Hama’s work began with refugee women in Jordan. She learned embroidery from them while teaching fashion and business skills, creating pathways for economic independence. After October 2023, her company redirected all profits to Gaza. For her, tatreez isn’t a static tradition but a living language of resistance and solidarity. She also reveals new projects: a global thobe made from diaspora textile pieces and a historical timeline of motifs from Canaanite times to today. Her collections, like Black on Black, reflect the present moment—using embroidery to tell stories of resilience, loss, and collective memory. You’ll hear about: >> 00:57: The name Hama and her connection to Palestine >> 06:57: The visit to Palestine that changed everything >> 11:46: Hama’s relationship to tatreez & its evolution >> 19:04: Hama Fashion launches >> 26:44: Current tatreez initiatives >> 30:59: Design & lessons through this work >> 43:31: Equitable pay and working with refugees >> 55:05: Life lessons from tatreez Rate, Review, & Follow on Your Favorite Podcast Platform “I love Palestinian embroidery and Tatreez Talk.” > Hama Fashion Website Boycott Resolute RGL. Click here for more information. Boycott ZARA and all Inditex brands—Bershka, Massimo Dutti, Pull & Bear, Stradivarius, Oysho, ZARA Home. Click here for more information. Follow us @tatreeztalk Follow Amanne @minamanne & Lina @linasthobe

    1h 1m

  6. 10/30/2025

    S5E7. Choice, Labor, and Tatreez with Noora from Taita Leila

    Send us a text NOORA IS THE CO-FOUNDER OF TAITA LEILA, A FEMINIST SOCIAL ENTERPRISE AND FASHION LABEL REIMAGINING PALESTINIAN EMBROIDERY—KEEPING ANCESTRAL STORIES ALIVE IN WAYS THAT WOULD MAKE OUR GRANDMOTHERS PROUD (@taitaleila). Inspired by her grandmother Leila Khalidi, author of The Art of Palestinian Embroidery, Noora shares how her family’s legacy shaped Taita Leila as a platform to keep ancestral stories alive through contemporary fashion. We begin with her Jerusalemite roots, her grandmother’s influence, and the role of embroidery as both archive and living tradition. She reflects on starting the project in 2014 as a way to reconnect with Palestine, reimagining elements of the thobe for modern wear. Noora also speaks to the political realities of producing in Palestine—checkpoint delays, settler violence, and, more recently, navigating the genocide’s impact. Finally, she shares how Taita Leila adapted by working with displaced Gazan embroiderers in Egypt, honoring heritage while supporting women through income, skills, and artistic expression. She frames the brand’s feminist ethos as rooted in empowerment and choice, and sees tatreez as both living resistance and wearable heritage. You’ll hear about: >> 1:04: Noora’s connection to Palestine >> 4:08: Exploring tatreez through Taita Leila (the person and the brand) >> 10:39: Crowdfunding and getting started >> 13:21: Producing in Palestine >> 21:55: What’s next for the brand >> 27:27: Defining feminism >> 32:00: Evolving views on female empowerment and labor >> 36:40: Customers and reception to Taita Leila >> 42:49: Taita Leila’s embroiderers >> 47:24: Bilingual Palestinian Embroidery Booklets >> 53:30: Major life lesson from tatreez Rate, Review, & Follow on Your Favorite Podcast Platform “I love Palestinian embroidery and Tatreez Talk.” > Join the Taita Leila Newsletter Boycott Resolute RGL. Click here for more information. Boycott ZARA and all Inditex brands—Bershka, Massimo Dutti, Pull & Bear, Stradivarius, Oysho, ZARA Home. Click here for more information. Follow us @tatreeztalk Follow Amanne @minamanne & Lina @linasthobe

    1h 1m

  7. 10/23/2025

    S5E6. Color Theory in Tatreez with Kiki

    Send us a text IN TODAY’S EPISODE, WE’RE WELCOMING BACK KIKI (@LOW_KEY_KI) AND DIVING INTO THE WORLD OF COLOR THEORY—HOW COLOR SHAPES OUR STORIES, MOODS, AND THE WAY WE EXPERIENCE TATREEZ. Kiki shares her background in scientific illustration, explaining how light, pigment, and human perception interact to shape our visual experiences. The conversation then dives into color theory fundamentals: complementary colors, the color wheel, and the science of how colors interact. Kiki explains how traditional tatreez historically used simple but powerful color palettes—often drawn from natural dyes—and how modern makers can experiment with blending techniques and variegated threads to push the boundaries of this art form. Finally, the episode roots color deeply in Palestinian history and environment, tracing how colors were inspired by the land, trade, and everyday life. Kiki shares how different regions developed their own palettes, how colors carried social meanings, and how this living tradition continues to evolve. The conversation invites makers to both honor these traditions and explore new creative possibilities. You’ll hear about: >> 1:25: Definition of Color Theory >> 7:06: Connecting to nature through color (and vice versa) >> 11:28: Colors in tatreez tradition >> 14:46: How to create your own tatreez color palette >> 19:25: How to balance bold with subtle colors >> 23:02: Colors > emotions >> 31:23: Kiki’s color stories >> 36:52: Kiki’s one piece of advice to take away Rate, Review, & Follow on Your Favorite Podcast Platform “I love Palestinian embroidery and Tatreez Talk.” > Listen to Kiki’s interview from Season 1 Boycott Resolute RGL. Click here for more information. Boycott ZARA and all Inditex brands—Bershka, Massimo Dutti, Pull & Bear, Stradivarius, Oysho, ZARA Home. Click here for more information. Follow us @tatreeztalk Follow Amanne @minamanne & Lina @linasthobe

    45 min

  8. 10/16/2025

    S5E5. Diaspora Roots Through Tatreez with Leila

    Send us a text LEILA IS A PALESTINIAN TATREEZ ARTIST AND RECENT GRADUATE OF INTERIOR DESIGN BASED IN CANADA (@leilas.gallery). We learn her family’s story of displacement and how growing up in both Arab and Western diasporas shaped her understanding of Palestinian identity. Life in Canada, she explains, made her more intentional about learning, expressing, and sharing her Palestinian heritage. Her journey with tatreez began at a Toronto Palestinian Film Festival workshop and deepened when her grandmother—herself a tatreez practitioner—taught her the “proper way.” She reflects on how tatreez reconnected her to her roots, helped heal generational disconnection, and strengthened her sense of Palestinian identity despite diaspora insecurities around language or belonging. Beyond her personal practice, Leila uses tatreez as a bridge for connection and education. She often introduces it to non-Palestinian friends and teaches at public markets, emphasizing the importance of cultural respect and awareness. We hear about powerful encounters at Toronto’s One of a Kind Market—moments of solidarity, racism, and resilience—that reaffirmed her mission to humanize Palestinians through art.  You’ll hear about: >> 1:00: Leila’s connection to Palestine & shifts in Palestinian identity >> 6:23: Her tatreez journey >> 10:45: Influence of tatreez on her identity and connecting with others >> 19:07: Conversations with non-Palestinians through tatreez >> 25:51: What Leila is working on right now >> 29:01: Major life lessons from tatreez Rate, Review, & Follow on Your Favorite Podcast Platform “I love Palestinian embroidery and Tatreez Talk.” – If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! This helps us elevate the vibrant narratives of Palestinian embroiderers and support more tatreez-ers — just like you — in learning more about tatreez and connecting with each other. You can find us on Spotify, Apple Podcast, and others -- just scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let us know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. We’re adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now! Boycott Resolute RGL. Click here for more information. Follow us @tatreeztalk Follow Amanne @minamanne & Lina @linasthobe

    33 min
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Trailer

5
out of 5
50 Ratings

About

Tatreez Talk is a the podcast that stitches together the vibrant narratives of Palestinian embroidery! Join us as we chat with talented embroiderers and artists, sharing their stories, inspirations, and the cultural significance behind each meticulously crafted piece. Thread your needle, press play, and let the stories unfold…one stitch at a time.

Information

  • Creator
    Tatreez Talk
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    82
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Tatreez Talk
  • Show Website
    Tatreez Talk

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