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 the history of the traditional Palestinian thobe, as well as the basic cross-stitch. In honor of our collective quarantine experience, you stitch the “houses” motif into a bookmark on aida cloth that was originally used in el-Khalil (Hebron). Create an embroidered design with instruction on how to finalize the project into a bookmark, as well as personal insights into the role that embroidery plays in Palestinian cultural traditions.
Open to students of all skill levels, the first class offers an in-depth exploration of the centuries-old traditional concepts and styles of Palestinian women, 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.
Other Information
- The instructor is Wafa Ghnaim.
- 2 sessions, 2 hours each
- This studio arts program is a Zoom Meeting to allow for patron and instructor interaction.
Additional Palestinian Thobe Embroidery programs are also available:
Patron Information
- If you register multiple individuals, you will be asked to supply individual names and email addresses so they can receive a Zoom link email. Please note that if there is a change in program schedule or a cancellation, we will notify you via email, and it will be your responsibility to notify other registrants in your group.
- Unless otherwise noted, registration for streaming programs typically closes two hours prior to the start time on the date of the program.
- Once registered, patrons should receive an automatic email confirmation from CustomerService@SmithsonianAssociates.org.
- Separate Zoom link information will be emailed closer to the date of the program. If you do not receive your Zoom link information 24 hours prior to the start of the program, please email Customer Service for assistance.
- View Common FAQs about our Streaming Programs on Zoom.
