Resources we rely on when designing our projects and organizing our supplies.
Tirazain
Free Electronic Library of Traditional Tatreez Motifs. Available in various digital formats including .chart which can be used in WinStitch/MacStitch. The most comprehensive free source of tatreez motifs we’ve ever seen. Beginning to offer some patterns based on historic athwab.
Macstitch/ WinStitch
A program for drawing your own patterns. There is a Free Demo Version, a paid version with Lifetime Upgrades (£46 or equivalent). We know it, we use it, we love it.
Badan Collective
Free Pattern Archive- Complex samplers and beautiful patterns designed by Badan Collective.
Threadcolors- DMC to Hex
Free chart and converter of DMC thread colors to or from Hexidecimal colors. Great for the tatreezer that lives online and loves design.
Folkglory
Free Patterns from various Palestinian Villages/ Regions.
John James - Needle Guide
Free Reference for Types of Needles and When to use which type.
Types of Cross Stitch Fabric
Free Reference of Cross Stitch Fabric Types and how to select the right fabric for your project. Explains sub-types of Evenweave including which types lend themselves to garment (read: thobe) making
Lord Libidan
Free Resource for many cross stitch and needlework things. This is not a Tatreez focussed site but has some VERY useful downloads such as a digital color cards, color comparison charts, skin tone color guides, cross stitch font packages, and an amazing Inventory Spreadsheet.
They also review and compare thread manufacturers, cross stitch apps etc.
Kufic Script Reference
Free Archive of different words and letters in Kufic Style
Stitchly or Stitchfiddle
Free Cross Stitch Programs/Apps for making your own tatreez patterns.
Sites we like that sell supplies we love.
DMC
If you can’t find a good local store for thread, it’s sometimes easiest to just go straight to the source. In the US, shipping is usually pretty expedient and they have 20-30% off sales on US Holidays.
Note: Palestinians traditionally made their own embroidery thread from silk cultivated locally or from Syria. Due to it’s color variety, quality, and ease of use, Palestinians have been using DMC Perle Cotton since it was introduced to the region in the 1920s. We recognize that DMC is a French Company, and was part of the English/French Colonization Strategy in SWANA. Through a fair bit of testing and MANY broken threads mid-stitch we haven’t found a better brand to recommend with a color selection this broad.
RosepetalsJo
Based in Jordan, our Go- To for Saya Fabric
Craftoo Shop
Do you want Kuffiyeh Fabric? Because this is where we get kuffiyeh Fabric.
Mood Fabrics
If/ when you decide to start making your own garments or YOUR FIRST THOBE, take a gander through Mood’s fashion fabrics. For $1.50 you can request a small swatch (usually around 4'“x6”) of whichever fabrics you choose.
Hoop and Frame
Another Boutique Needle Craft shop. More than one of us has tried and become obsessed with Silk Thread. This site has a large selection/ stock of Au Ver A Soie Soiee Perlee which is our preferred brand.
The Designers Stop
A great source for Tahriri/Rasheq/ Couching (a great laid thread) and other Embroidery Supplies. Including this sleeper hit- cotton thread w/ a metallic strand
Stone Mountain & Daughter Fabrics
Another online Fabric store for YOUR FIRST THOBE! You can request a 1/8 yard swatch of whichever fabrics you choose (swatch price will vary in proportion to yard price).
123stitch.com
If you can get past the web2.0 of it all, 123stitch is a great resource for Aida cloth, evenweave, and waste canvas in larger sizes and different stitch counts than you can find at your local craft store. They also offer a greater variety of colored fabrics, thread manufacturers, and notions.
Snuggly Monkey
A Boutique (and slightly bougie) Needle Craft Shop. We love their high quality notions, alternate thread suppliers (OMG Cottage Gardens variegated loveliness), and storage options.
A Stitching Shop
Another web 2.0 site- Included here as, if you give them a call, they’re happy to help you find whatever materials you need in whatever length or quantity. They helped us find “Magical Thobe Fabric” aka Lugana (an evenweave suitable for clothing so you can make garments without using waste canvas)! If you live in Denver, pay them a visit!
PomegranateColours
Beautiful Hand Dyed Pearl Cotton in various sizes.
Needlework with Jim
Beautiful Hand Dyed Aida Cloth and Evenweave.