5 of Our Favourite Tatreez Stitches + Our Favourite Embroidered Pieces

There is something very special about Tatreez.

With just a needle, thread and cloth, Palestinian women have created patterns that carry stories of place, family, nature and memory. For generations, embroidery was more than decoration—it was a way of expressing identity and passing traditions from one generation to the next.

At Handmade Palestine, we especially love Fallahi, the traditional Palestinian cross-stitch style rooted in village life. Fallahi comes from fallah, meaning farmer, reflecting the rural communities where this embroidery tradition flourished.

Here are five of our favourite stitches and motifs, along with five more that continue to be important in Palestinian embroidery today.

5 Palestinian Stitches & Motifs We Love

1. Fallahi Cross-Stitch: The Fallahi stitch is perhaps the one most closely associated with Palestinian Tatreez. Small, even crosses are carefully counted across the fabric to create intricate geometric designs. What we love most is the patience behind it. One stitch becomes another, and slowly a pattern emerges—often one that has been passed down through generations.
2. Najmet Beit Lahm — The Star of Bethlehem: The Star of Bethlehem is one of the most recognisable Palestinian motifs. Usually formed with eight points, it is particularly associated with Bethlehem and has come to represent ideas of hope, protection and guidance. It is a beautiful example of how a simple geometric shape can carry so much meaning.
3. Sarw — The Cypress Tree: The cypress tree is a beloved motif in Palestinian embroidery. Tall and symmetrical, it reflects the Palestinian landscape and is often associated with continuity and endurance. Different regions developed their own versions, making the cypress a wonderful example of how Tatreez can tell us something about where a design comes from.
4. Zahra — Flowers and Rosettes: Floral motifs are everywhere in Palestinian embroidery. From delicate blossoms to bold eight-petalled rosettes, flowers soften the geometry of Tatreez while adding movement and colour. We love how easily these traditional designs can move between a thobe and contemporary pieces such as bags, cushions and clothing. 
5. Hijab — The Amulet: The Hijab, or amulet motif, is traditionally associated with protection. There is something particularly meaningful about stitching protection into a garment—a reminder that Palestinian embroidery has always carried hopes, blessings and personal stories alongside its beauty.

5 More Palestinian Stitches & Motifs We Love

There is so much more to Palestinian embroidery than the familiar cross-stitch. These techniques and motifs are also an important part of the tradition.

1. Tahriri: The distinctive couching technique associated especially with Bethlehem embroidery. Its flowing lines create a more elaborate and ornamental style.
2. Tashreem: A technique used to create texture and dimension, adding raised details and emphasis to embroidered designs.
3. Tishrim: A zigzag edging stitch traditionally used in appliqué and patchwork. Simple, practical and beautifully decorative.
4. Manajel: A traditional binding technique that combines function with decoration, showing how even practical stitches became part of the visual language of Palestinian dress.
5. Fūl al-Qahwa — The Coffee Bean: A motif particularly associated with Gaza, inspired by the coffee plant. We love how it reflects the way everyday Palestinian life, plants and the landscape found their way into embroidery.

Keeping the Tradition Alive

Tatreez continues to evolve while remaining deeply connected to its roots.

Palestinian embroiderers today are bringing traditional stitches and motifs onto contemporary clothing, accessories and homewares, while communities in Palestine and across the diaspora continue to teach and learn these techniques.

For us, that is the beauty of Tatreez. It is history, but it is also alive. Someone picks up a needle, counts the squares and makes the first stitch. Then another. And another. And a piece of Palestinian heritage continues to be carried forward.

Our Pick of Tatreez Books & Embroidery Kits

Alongside the stitches and motifs we love, we’ve selected a few of our favourite Tatreez books and embroidery kits.

From traditional stitch guides to kits for getting started with your own embroidery, these are lovely ways to learn more about Palestinian Tatreez and keep the tradition going, one stitch at a time.

Explore More of Our Tatreez Collection 

Discover our wider collection of Palestinian Tatreez pieces, from traditional embroidered scarves, cushion covers and bags to more contemporary designs such as our brass earrings and tote bags. Head here to explore the full collection: https://handmadepalestine.com/search?q=tatreez