Tatreez Coaster: Olives

Beautiful tatreez coaster sewn by Manjel Ma Qoud, a women’s cooperative in the West Bank, Palestine.

Tatreez is a centuries-old embroidery art form that has been passed down through generations and is common in Palestine and among the diaspora.

Tatreez features patterns and motifs, each with its own meaning and connection to Palestinian heritage and identity, sometimes with added in-jokes depending on the maker’s own sense of humour. A visual language, if you will.

Tatreez is different from European cross-stitch in that it is stitched without a frame or hoop, and uses a sewing method that gives it a thicker, tactile texture.

These coasters are embroidered with a lovely Palestinian olive tree branch and olives fully ripened.

Each purchase also supports Mashjar Juthour, an eco-initiative near Ramallah, part arboretum and part eco-park.