Dresses That Tell Stories
Judging by the patterns of the embroidery on a dress, one can determine where someone comes from – almost each Palestinian town has its own unique pattern. Now a newly published book is tracing the history of this Palestinian handcraft. A review by Susannah Tarbush
One town, one pattern: Palestinian embroidery is an integral part of the Palestinian geographical and cultural landscape
The embroidery with which Palestinian women have traditionally decorated their dresses is one of the most characteristic elements of Palestinian material culture. In her recent book
Palestinian Embroidery Motifs: A Treasury of Stitches 1850-1950 – published jointly by Melisende Publishing of London and Rimal Publications of Nicosia – Margarita Skinner focuses on the motifs used in embroidery. They include the Tall Palm motif (also known as Ears of Wheat) of the Ramallah area, Scissors and Roses from Gaza, the Key of the Heart from Bethlehem and the Cypress Tree motifs found all over Palestine.