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 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.
Kufic Script Reference
Archive of different words and letters in Kufic Style
Folkglory
Free Patterns from various Palestinian Villages/ Regions.
John James - Needle Guide
Reference for Types of Needles and When to use which type.
Lord Libidan
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.
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.
Hoop and Frame
Another Boutique Needle Craft shop. More than one of us have 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
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. The Owner is great and helped Mo find the Mo fabric for their 1st Thobe! 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.