Tatreez Talk

Tatreez Talk
  • 4.9 (53)
  • 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. 1D AGO

    S6E6. The Butterfly Motif with Watfa

    Send us Fan Mail WATFA IS A TATREEZ ARTIST, EDUCATOR/HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL, FIBER ARTS TEACHER AND PHOTOGRAPHER (@stitched_by_foof). She shares her deep family connection to Palestine, tracing her father's journey from Dirar Al-Ba'ain near Ramallah to Brazil, where he met her mother, and eventually settling in the South Bronx. For her, growing up in a tight-knit Palestinian community that mirrored village life in Palestine created a cultural "little Deir Al-Ba'ain" in New York. As a dedicated embroiderer, Watfa learned from her father's sister and preserved traditional motifs while also innovating. She shares fascinating stories about her photography work capturing tatreez in Gaza during the 1980s-90s, documenting patterns that may no longer exist today. She passes on these traditions, using butterfly motifs from her aunt's dresses for her daughter's projects, making her work a living bridge between generations and preserving cultural heritage that faces ongoing erasure. Watfa shares her life lesson that "telling [her] story" through embroidery has been transformative, helping her embrace her dual identity and express herself authentically. Despite her busy life as an educator and mother, she finds precious moments to create, using train rides for crafting and keeping multiple projects underway. This episode is a reminder to share your stories, because tatreez serves as both personal expression and cultural resistance in the face of ongoing Palestinian displacement and erasure. You’ll hear about: >> 0:58: Watfa’s connection to Palestine >> 6:32: Growing up Palestinian-Brazilian in the Bronx >> 11:43: Learning tatreez and herself visiting Palestine >> 19:36: Photographing tatreez at home and in Gaza >> 22:30: Watfa’s art upon returning  >> 25:43: Embarking on a thobe >> 36:07: Teaching fiber arts >> 41:36: How engaging with tatreez has shifted >> 44:50: Current projects >> 48:36: 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

    56 min

  2. APR 2

    S6E5. Stitching the Diaspora's Heart with Sarah

    Send us Fan Mail SARAH IS A MICROBIOLOGY STUDENT AND BEGINNER TATREEZ ARTIST FROM AUSTRALIA (@stitching.intifada). Originally from villages near Haifa and Safad that were ethnically cleansed in 1948, Sarah's parents grew up in Lebanese refugee camps before migrating to Australia where she and most siblings were born. Despite never having physically visited Palestine, Sarah has found the "perfect fusion" of her love for art and country through Tatreez. Sarah's Tatreez journey began when she gifted materials to family members who wanted to learn, and after October 2023, she felt compelled to pick up the needle herself as another way to connect with Palestine amid the genocide. She quickly discovered how her public stitching sparked conversations with strangers about Palestinian culture, turning her art into a form of advocacy. Despite being a beginner, she has already hosted workshops and is hosting regular Tatreez Circles in Melbourne in 2026 (if you're Melbourne-based, reach out!). Sarah shares how Tatreez has taught her to embrace imperfection, learning that mistakes in stitching—and in life—are part of the bigger narrative rather than something to be erased. As she works on her first tatreez dress (thobe), she envisions a lifelong commitment to the art, eventually passing it to her daughter while continuing to build community and use her needle as both a connection to heritage and a tool for cultural preservation and advocacy. You’ll hear about: >> 1:02: Sarah’s connection to Palestine >> 4:08: Palestinian community in Australia >> 5:25: Relationship to tatreez before and after beginning >> 10:26: Finding community through tatreez  >> 13:36: Unlocking intergenerational connections >> 22:01: What Sarah hopes the next generation gets through tatreez >> 23:30: Sarah’s tatreez projects >> 28:33: What’s next >> 32:42: Sarah’s 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

    40 min

  3. MAR 26

    S6E4. Where Tatreez Meets Poetry with Giovanna

    Send us Fan Mail GIOVANNA (JO-VA-NA), A TATREEZ ARTIST, POET, AND STUDENT ACTIVIST (@giovanna_writes_poetry). She reflects on her grandparents’ displacement from Jerusalem and Yaffa in 1948 and her family’s movement through Lebanon, Jordan, and eventually the United States. Giovanna’s journey into tatreez began relatively recently through a workshop in Seattle with Hala and Sabrene (both previous guests on Tatreez Talk!), marking a powerful moment of reconnection with her culture. Despite not growing up surrounded by tatreez practices, she recalls owning a traditional thobe as a child, which served as an early—though distant—touchpoint to the craft. Throughout the conversation, Giovanna reflects on what it means to come to tatreez later in life, without prior exposure, and how that experience can feel both isolating and deeply meaningful. The discussion highlights themes of cultural rediscovery, intergenerational connection, and the role of art in identity and activism. Her story illustrates how tatreez can serve as a bridge between past and present, even for those who didn’t grow up immersed in the tradition. You’ll hear about: >> 00:41: Giovanna’s connection to Palestine >> 2:18: How Giovanna began her tatreez journey >> 5:18: Evolving tatreez practice and the Seattle tatreez community >> 11:01: Conversations through tatreez >> 12:53: Giovanna’s poetry >> 16:25: Creative process through Palestinian identity >> 19:27: Giovanna’s tatreez design approach >> 21:36: Tatreez projects in 2026 >> 23:23: 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. Follow us @tatreeztalk Follow Amanne @minamanne & Lina @linasthobe

    30 min

  4. MAR 19

    S6E3. A Lifetime of Tatreez with Hajja Haleemah

    Send us Fan Mail HAJJA HALEEMAH IS A PALESTINIAN GRANDMOTHER WHOSE LIFE HAS BEEN DEEPLY INTERTWINED WITH TATREEZ. She shares stories about her upbringing in Palestine, her family, and her enduring love for returning home. Through her reflections, we get a glimpse into everyday life, community connections, and how cultural traditions are passed down across generations. Hajja Haleemah explains how she first learned tatreez and how embroidery was historically learned by observing others. She discusses how designs were often copied from what people saw around them rather than from formal patterns, highlighting the communal and organic nature of the craft. Over the decades, Hajja has hand-embroidered 14 traditional Palestinian dresses and tapestries, each one carrying its own story. Among these pieces is her remarkable Intifada thobe, a dress she spent three years embroidering, inspired by a garment her sister brought from Ramallah. The thobe has since become a symbol of pride and resistance, even accompanying Hajja to protests where people from many backgrounds stopped to photograph and celebrate the piece. You’ll hear about: >> 1:31: Hajja Haleemah’s connection to Palestine >> 3:04: How she started tatreez >> 4:28: Beginning to make Palestinian dresses >> 9:26: Tatreez when living in Palestine >> 11:10: Hajja Haleemah’s intifada thobe >> 13:54: Hajja’s current projects >> 20:50: Her tatreez practice now >> 22:14: Hajja’s advice for all of us! 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

    28 min

  5. MAR 12

    S6E2. New Look, Same Us

    Send us Fan Mail IN THIS EPISODE OF TATREEZ TALK, we’re pulling back the curtain and sharing some exciting updates, plus a few heartfelt asks for our community. We’re officially stepping into a new chapter for the podcast, starting with a refreshed brand identity inspired by Palestinian land, culture, and a forward-looking vision for tatreez. We talk about the colors, the meaning behind them, and why it felt important for Tatreez Talk to visually reflect where we’re headed. We also share what’s been coming up again and again from you: VIDEO! We’re exploring the transition from audio-only to video podcasting and inviting community support: whether you have hands-on experience or just opinions about what makes a great video podcast. Finally, we dream out loud about the future of in-person gatherings, live events, and what it could look like to bring Tatreez Talk into physical spaces beyond New York. In this episode, we cover: Our new Tatreez Talk branding + the story behind itWhy tatreez is past, present, and futureExploring video podcasting (and how you can help!)A short listener survey we’d love you to fill outDreaming up future live and in-person Tatreez Talk eventsLinks mentioned: Listener survey HERE Get in touch: tatreeztalk@gmail.com or Instagram DMsAs always, thank you for being part of this community — Tatreez Talk exists because of you. 💛 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! Follow us @tatreeztalk Follow Amanne @minamanne & Lina @linasthobe

    16 min

  6. JAN 15

    S6E1. Catching Up: 2025 Highlights + What's Coming In 2026

    Send us Fan Mail IN THIS EPISODE, we kick off Season 6 by reflecting on our 2025 highlights and sharing what we’re excited about in 2026. From taking the Tatreez Retreat international to growing our teaching, community, and creative projects, this is a grounded check-in on what we’ve built and what’s coming next. WHAT WE’VE BEEN UP TO (2025) Hosted two full seasons of Tatreez TalkHeld Tatreez Talk LIVE in NYC with 50+ attendeesTook the Tatreez Retreat international to Marrakech, MoroccoFinally hosted a Moroccan embroidery workshop during the retreatAmanne taught and traveled more (Mexico City, Bay Area, Pixar for the second year, University of Michigan)Lina hired a Palestinian video editor (Nour) and expanded her YouTube contentWHAT WE’RE EXCITED ABOUT (2026) Lina building a wearable tatreez wardrobe and starting her next thobeThe return of the Ramadan Stitch-Along (Round 2) with more intentional community connectionA new Tatreez Grove matching pilot to help members build deeper one-on-one relationshipsAnother Tatreez Talk LIVE event, this time in the Bay AreaAmanne traveling to Lebanon during Ramadan with Sadaqah Charity to work with Palestinian and Syrian refugeesAmanne’s upcoming photo-tatreez projects to raise funds for Gaza and SudanLinks Mentioned:  Association Alnour in MarrakechApricot International to connect with talented professionals in MENASign up for The Tatreez Retreat waitlistThe Tatreez GroveRate, 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

  7. 12/04/2025

    S5E12. The Body in the Thobe with Samar

    Send us Fan Mail 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

  8. 11/27/2025

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

    Send us Fan Mail 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
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4.9
out of 5
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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 - 2026
  • Episodes
    88
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Tatreez Talk
  • Show Website
    Tatreez Talk

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