Tahriri Embroidery: How is it Different than Tatreez?

Tahriri Embroidery: How is it Different than Tatreez?

With your help, we raised $50,000 in 2022. With this funding, our artisans have begun learning a new skill, Tahiri embroidery.

With this funding, we have been able to provide 10 months of work for 6 women artisans. Additionally,  we have done two training sessions (six hours/day) and a full month of follow-up training via WhatsApp. This training has familiarized our artisans with the basics of Tahriri embroidery. So far, our artisans have learned the basics of two motifs, which leaves an additional 10 traditional motifs that  form the foundation of the embroidery style.

Tahriri Embroidery: 



What is Tahriri embroidery? How is it different from Tatreez?

Tahriri stitching is a traditional form of Palestinian embroidery. Unlike tatreez embroidery, which  is a type of cross stitching, tahriri utilizes a couching stitch technique, where a main thread is carefully laid along the surface of the fabric and secured in place with small stitches of a thinner thread. Historically, tahriri was primarily performed by the women of the Bethlehem/Beit Jala region, where they utilized this technique on the front panels of wedding dresses, side panels of skirts, and the cuffs of the long traditional Palestinian dresses.

Tahriri is a technique that was and continues to be used in special occasion fashion, such weddings and home decoration. It is a unique style which Palestinian women are becoming more accustomed with and are eager to preserve this heritage art. Our artisans are still lacking sufficient training due to the high salaries of the limited trainers that come from only one region. Additionally, as Tahriri is not as common as tatreez, it has proved challenging to secure the required materials. After much searching, we were forced to travel to Jordan to buy tahriri thread. Since traveling to Jordan to buy the threads for our first training, we have found a local source in Ramallah but their stock in limited in terms of colors and inventory.

What impact has this training created?

  • 6 female artisans employed
  • 10,000 hours of dignified work created
  • 10 new products sampled
  • 2 Tahriri motifs preserved
  • Funding invested directly in the Palestinian economy

What are our continued training goals?

As we are still in the first stage of training, our artisans have much to learn. We are aiming to continue training our full time artisans to master the art of tahriri like they have tatreez. With this knowledge, our full time artisans will be able to train  our part-time artisans who work from home, in order to give them additional work. Additional funding will enable us to continue and expand our trainings, in order  to launch a new line of tahriri products.

Shop the Tahriri Collection:

Tahriri Pouch - Blue

Tahriri Pillow - Lumbar

 

Tahriri Pillow - Square

 

Tahriri Pouch - Green

Tahriri Table Runner






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