Palestinian Embroidery Clothing: Where Heritage Meets Modern Fashion

Last Updated: September 26, 2026

Palestinian embroidery, or Tatreez, has been stitched onto clothing for centuries. Today you can find it on everything from traditional thobes to denim jackets and hoodies. This guide walks through the main types of Palestinian embroidered clothing, how each is typically made, and what to look for when you buy.

What Is Palestinian Embroidery?

Palestinian embroidery (Tatreez) is a cross-stitch tradition passed down by Palestinian women, with motifs like the cypress tree, stars, and flowers that express identity, family, and belonging. Learn more in our guides to Tatreez history and Tatreez patterns and their meanings.

Types of Palestinian Embroidered Clothing

1. The Traditional Thobe

The thobe is the original home of Tatreez: a long dress with a densely embroidered chest panel, sleeves, and side panels. Traditional thobes are fully hand-embroidered and can take months to complete, which is why they're treasured and often passed down through families. For everyday wear, the Thobe-Inspired Tatreez T-Shirt brings a thobe chest panel onto a cotton tee.

2. Tatreez Denim Jackets

Denim jackets are one of the most popular modern canvases for Tatreez. A large back panel shows off a full motif, like a cypress tree or star medallion. Our Tatreez denim jackets include the Red Cypress Tree Jacket and the Multicolor Flower Jacket. See our top 5 Tatreez jackets.

3. Embroidered Hoodies and Sweatshirts

Tatreez bands on sleeves and chests bring the tradition into everyday comfort. Try the Black Keffiyeh Pattern Tatreez Hoodie, the Tatreez Bracelet Sleeve Sweatshirt, or the Palestine Flag Tatreez Patchwork Hoodie, or browse all sweatshirts and hoodies.

4. Printed Heritage Tees

Printed tees are an easy, affordable way to wear Palestinian heritage, with designs like the keffiyeh pattern. Try the Keffiyeh Back T-Shirt or browse all t-shirts.

5. Embroidered Accessories

Scarves, bandanas, and hats add a smaller touch of Tatreez. See the Tatreez Embroidered Scarf, Keffiyeh Bandana, and our accessories guide.

Hand-Embroidered, Machine-Embroidered, or Printed?

Palestinian heritage clothing is made in three main ways, and each has its place:

• Hand-embroidered: every stitch made by hand. The most traditional and most prized, and the most expensive because of the hours involved.
• Machine-embroidered: stitched on an embroidery machine. Crisp, durable, and more affordable, and it brings Tatreez motifs into everyday wear.
• Printed: designs printed onto fabric. The lightest and most affordable option, great for tees.

What matters most is honesty. A trustworthy brand tells you clearly which method it uses.

How TURATH Makes Its Clothing

TURATH FASHION is a Palestinian-owned brand founded in 2021 in British Columbia. Here's exactly how our pieces are made:

• Embroidered pieces (jackets, hoodies, sweatshirts, accessories) are handcrafted at home by our two Palestinian founders, stitched on our own embroidery machine, with hand-stitching added where needed.
• Printed designs are produced by a professional print shop.
• Al Nabulsi keffiyehs are made in Palestine by the Al Nabulsi factory, woven on looms with artisan handwork.
• Hand-embroidered special orders feature Tatreez panels stitched by Palestinian women artisans in refugee camps, whom we pay as fairly as we possibly can. Email Turath.mona@gmail.com or message @turath.mona to ask.

25% of our profits go to humanitarian aid.

What to Look For When Buying Palestinian Embroidered Clothing

• Who made it: Palestinian-owned brands, Palestinian artisans, or products made in Palestine.
• How it's made: a clear statement of hand, machine, or print.
• Quality: dense, even stitching that lies flat, on sturdy fabric.
• Cultural credit: designs described as Palestinian, not just "boho" or "ethnic."

For more, see our guide to buying authentic Tatreez.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Palestinian embroidered clothing called?

The embroidery itself is called Tatreez. The traditional embroidered dress is called a thobe.

Is Palestinian embroidery always done by hand?

Traditional Tatreez is hand-stitched, and fully hand-embroidered pieces are the most prized. Many modern pieces use machine embroidery to make the motifs wearable and affordable every day.

Where can I buy Palestinian embroidered clothing?

Look for Palestinian-owned brands that explain how their pieces are made. TURATH FASHION offers embroidered jackets, hoodies, and accessories online, and ships across Canada and to the US.

Do you ship to the US and Canada?

Yes. Orders within Canada over $175 CAD ship free. US shoppers can switch the country selector to United States to see prices in USD, with shipping calculated at checkout.