Saturday 15 May & Saturday 22 May 2021, 2-5pm GMT

Virtual Workshop, hosted by Wafa Ghnaim of Tatreez & Tea

Wafa Ghnaim is an American born Palestinian businesswoman, writer, and artist. She founded Tatreez & Tea in 2015, to preserve Palestinian tatreez embroidery and storytelling traditions in the diaspora. Her self-published book, titled Tatreez & Tea: Embroidery and Storytelling in the Palestinian Diaspora (2018), documents the traditional patterns passed to her by her mother, award-winning Palestinian embroidery artist Feryal Abbasi-Ghnaim. Tatreez & Tea has since become a social media sensation and global initiative offering online and live classes around the world in service of promoting the practice of Palestinian embroidery by anyone, anywhere, anytime. In 2018, Wafa was awarded the prestigious New York Foundation for the Arts Fellowship in Traditional Arts -- a once in a lifetime award for her work in preserving and teaching Palestinian embroidery around the globe. From teaching at universities around the world, to becoming the first-ever Palestinian embroidery instructor at the Smithsonian Museum — Wafa Ghnaim has led a tatreez revolution; a global collective of embroiderers, allies, designers and artists who are committed to preserving tatreez in the Palestinian diaspora. Tatreez & Tea now offers all classes and lectures 100% online. Wafa currently resides in Washington, DC.

Outline of the workshop
For generations, Palestinian women have gathered with their daughters to work collectively on embroidery projects, bonding with one another over a cup of tea. Guided by Wafa Ghnaim, who began her training in embroidery with her mother at age 2, learn how to embroider traditional Palestinian motifs, as well as learn the art history of the historic villages they originate from. The pattern is an exclusive, custom sampler that incorporates the motifs of el-Khalil, Bethlehem, Jerusalem, and Bir Saba into a collaged 4x4 inch wall hanging on a beige even weave cloth.

Open to students of all skill levels, the class offers an in-depth exploration of the traditional concepts and styles of Palestinian embroidery practiced by women for centuries, as well as the basics of transferring a pattern to fabric, threading a needle, the use of ombre thread, two methods of cross-stitching, and motif repetition.

A materials pack will be sent to participants in advance of the workshop.

Material pack will include:

• 14 count Aida cloth
• Two colours of DMC Pearl Cotton Thread (size 8) in black and red
• Size 22/24 tapestry needle
• Introductory pamphlet

The pattern will be released digitally ahead of the class. When the pattern is released, tuition becomes non-refundable.

Additional material required (not provided)

• Scissors
• Fabric marker
• Measuring tape
• Adequate lighting

No experience is required however a basic understanding of counted cross-stitch is helpful.

If you require additional information about this workshop please contact Catherine Harris, events@selvedge.org.

Workshop Cancellation Policy
All places reserved on workshops are non refundable, however, if you let us know you are not able to make a workshop you have booked at least two weeks prior to the event, we will re-advertise your place and refund your fee as long as we are able to sell your place and the workshop is fully booked.