Introduction to Reading Tatreez: A Hands-On Workshop

Discover Tatreez, the traditional Palestinian art of cross-stitch embroidery, in this hands-on beginner workshop led by Palestinian embroiderer Haya Natsheh.

Designed for those with little or no embroidery experience, the session introduces participants to the fundamentals of Tatreez while exploring how embroidered motifs communicate stories of place, identity, and tradition. Rather than simply following a pattern, participants will begin to understand how to recognise and read motifs, how designs were passed between generations, and how regional styles developed across Palestine.

After a short illustrated introduction, participants will learn the essential techniques of Tatreez, including preparing fabric and thread, reading a simple chart, and stitching their own traditional Palestinian motif. Along the way, they will gain practical skills that allow them to continue their Tatreez journey beyond the workshop.

By the end of the session, each participant will leave with their first stitched piece, an understanding of the foundations of Tatreez, and a new appreciation for the knowledge held within every stitch.

No previous embroidery experience is required. All materials are provided.

Haya Mustafa Natsheh is a Palestinian embroiderer from Jerusalem, currently based in London, and the founder of Qutbeh (قُطْبِة), a platform dedicated to sharing Palestinian Tatreez through research, education, and contemporary practice. With a background in translation, cultural studies, and comparative politics, her work explores Tatreez as a visual language carrying memory, geography, identity, and women's knowledge across generations. Through workshops and public engagement, she encourages a deeper understanding of Tatreez as a living cultural tradition that can be both stitched and read.