Palestinian traditional embroidery called “tatriz” can be very different in different regions of the country. Some areas prefer a certain color, others use typical symbolic patterns, or even hide embroidered clothes underneath plain cloaks. Palestine is a comparatively small country but its cultural and historic heritage is huge. And one of the main folk clothing crafts here is needlework. So, let’s try to highlight the major characteristic features of several Palestinian regions here.
The Palestinian embroidery is based on the cross-stitch technique.
In the past, it was possible to distinguish the wearer’s region of origin by the embroidery on their clothing. But since the mid-20th century, people don’t stick as strongly to their regional designs as they used to. So, it’s more of a mix of various patterns, colors, and symbols today than a strict tradition.
There are some peculiarities of Palestinian needlework that are pretty logical. For instance, they use certain embroidery techniques that keep the inside of the cloth almost free of extra threads. When you’re embroidering, you usually get the pattern made of extra threads on the inside and on the outside of the fabric, but Palestinian embroidery is made so that the pattern on the inside is minimal. It’s because the more extra stitching, the heavier a garment becomes, and also, you don’t want extra thickness of the cloth in such a hot climate. In countries with cooler weather, embroidery can be one of the means to make clothes warmer, but Palestinians don’t need it.
We usually see tatriz on the bodice, a little on the sleeves and cuffs, and a lot on the hem. Everyday clothing is much less decorated than festive garments because it’s not practical.
In any case, the cut and style of female robes and other garments in Palestine are very feminine and embroidery decorations suit this clothing just fine.
And now, let’s distinguish some of the unique features of Palestinian traditional embroidery in different regions of the country, at least in the largest and most characteristic areas.
Bethlehem
This region is known for the couching embroidery technique, it is used along the traditional cross-stitch and is very popular. The locals are fond of gold and silver threads used in the needlework and of coins used to decorate clothing and headdresses.
Bethlehem has been a tourist area for years and this fact influenced the traditional craft of embroidery as well. Women used imported fabrics and threads, a greater variety of fabrics and colors was available for them, etc.
Jaffa
This area originally was famous for its orange gardens and export of this fruit throughout Palestine and abroad. Thereafter, the local embroidery patterns often include orange color and motifs.
This region is also special because it has a certain diversity in national clothing. By 1920, there were 4 different main dresses typical for Jaffa: a jillayeh (ornate bridal attire), a green&black striped linen dress, a white linen thob, and a black linen thob.
In Jaffa, women wore a lot of jewelry and their outfits were often decorated with coins.
Ramallah
This area is characterized by wine-red stitching on white (in summer) and on black (in winter) clothes. The local females traditionally wear sort of shawls or capes on their heads, and these shawls are also richly adorned with red needlework.
Also, in this region, the embroidery patterns are often geometric.
Jerusalem
In Jerusalem itself, people preferred Western-style clothing, they didn’t usually use the folk Palestinian embroidery. But in the rural areas around Jerusalem, they wore embroidered clothing, silk dresses with stitching on the chest, and head shawls similar to the ones from Ramallah. Short jackets and different velvet outerwear was also adorned with needlework and beading.
Galilee
This area is interesting because the local clothes had embroidery but it was hidden under, for instance, a modest and plain cloak. So, not always you could see the needlework but it still was there.
