S3E12 of Tatreez Talk: #TatreezYourKeffiyeh and Beyond with Dana
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Dana’s bright colors and engaging content has been so refreshing on Instagram over the last year and a half. She shows us you can be creative and bring your own personality to tatreez. It’s all valid and it’s all considered to be tatreez.
The conversation we shared with her was equally welcoming, exciting, and bright.
And if you’re looking for your next project or you want to get started with tatreez, she’s got the perfect experience! Learn more about #TatreezYourKeffiyeh in this interview and then head over to her Instagram to kick off your own tatreez keffiyeh project!
Episode Shownotes
DANA IS A TATREEZ ARTIST, ALSO KNOWN ONLINE AS TATREEZ WITH DANDUNA (@tatreez.with.danduna). In this episode of Tatreez Talk, we sit down for an honest and moving conversation about how tatreez became an unexpected yet deeply powerful part of Dana’s life. She shares how her Palestinian roots shaped her identity, and how the events of 2021 and the ongoing genocide since October 7th catalyzed a shift in her activism and creative expression.
What began as a curiosity evolved into a profound outlet for storytelling and resistance. Dana walks us through the evolution of her embroidered keffiyeh project (#tatreezyourkeffiyeh), a living archive of motifs—some traditional, some newly created—that honor Palestinian heritage while documenting the present. She also shares her journey from learning online to designing her own thobe and building a local stitch circle in Sacramento.
This episode is for anyone seeking creative inspiration, cultural connection, or meaningful community through craft. Key takeaways include: how tatreez offers healing in moments of heartbreak, the importance of showing up even with imperfect stitches, and how every thread carries a story—of presence, resistance, and collective memory.
You’ll hear about:
>> 1:45: Dana’s connection to Palestine
>> 4:20: Getting introduced to tatreez
>> 9:25: Deciding to embark on a thobe
>> 13:42: The #TatreezYourKeffiyeh project
>> 26:45: Supporting Pious Projects through tatreez
>> 31:15: Evolution of relationship with tatreez
>> 33:20: Building a tatreez community on social media and IRL
>> 39:22: Major life lessons from tatreez
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Transcript
Amanne: Hi stitchers! Welcome to Tatreez Talk where we share conversations about Palestinian embroidery. I'm Amanne here with my co-host, Lina, chatting with talented embroiderers and artists sharing their stories, inspirations, and the cultural significance behind their work.
Lina: On today's episode. We are chatting with Tatreez artist Dana, also known online as Tatreez with Tatreez with Danduna. Welcome to Tatreez Talk, Dana. We are so excited to have you on here.
Dana: Thank you guys, thank you. I appreciate you guys, I appreciate the work that you've been doing, and I'm so happy to be here. Finally.
Amanne: Yeah, we're excited to finally get you here. You know, it's been a long time coming, and we finally got to meet Irl, because for those of you who don't know I am myself and Dan are both in Northern California. Dana is a little further north in Sacramento and me. I'm in San Francisco Bay Area. We finally got to meet a few months ago, and did a little like impromptu small
Amanne: Tatreez gathering a little Tatreez circle which was great. So it was. It was nice to finally meet Irl. After all this time.
Dana: Oh, I was excited, and I loved seeing the community that you have. It's amazing. The people there were very sweet and just like everybody at a toll. 3 circle, you know everybody's sweet and just welcoming, and you know, passionate about to threes.
Amanne: Right. I know I still gotta make it up to Sacramento for a circle soon, and so.
Amanne: And we'll talk about. We'll talk about like the community work that you've been doing soon. But 1st we like to kick off by asking if you could share a little bit about you and your family's connection to Philistine.
Dana: Yeah, of course. So I am Palestinian.
Dana: I am. So my father is from Jerusalem. He's from a village called Shafat.
Dana: and Shafat is next to famous Beit Hanina. So if you haven't heard of Shafat, we're right next door, and again it's a village. And so he was born and raised there, and has most of his family there.
Dana: and I have also my mom, who is also Palestinian. But she's from Haifa, and you know, with many people that came from Haifa and surrounding Areas Post. You know, Nakba, they went to Damascus, Syria. So actually so she was born in Damascus, Syria. So if you speak to her. She has a Syrian accent.
Dana: but you know she's Palestinian. And so.
Dana: yeah, you know, I did grow up going to Falasteen, especially during my high school years, because we had a house. We built a house in Shafat, and so literally like the 1st day of summer, until the last day of summer was spent in Falasteen. Dad wanted us to just go and and learn, and just, you know.
Dana: be one with the people and the culture and the family, and so maybe that adds to, I guess I'm very Palestinian. Okay, I'm very Palestinian, and I think maybe that's where it comes from. But also again growing
Dana: up, you know, away from Falasteen, and you know, with all the events that happen in fall scene. This alone can make you very passionate for not just your people and culture and heritage, but also to see them freed. And you know and live normal lives just like other people in the world. So injustice is wrong, regardless from where people are from or what part of the world it is. It's
Dana: it's wrong period. And so maybe that's probably where my activism starts or stems from.
Amanne: So.
Lina: Beautiful.
Amanne: Yeah, I was gonna ask you, you know, considering that you spent so much time in Philistine growing up like.
Amanne: what was Tatreez like around you? Was it something that was something that your your family in Philistine was actively practicing? Did it something that you saw around you? How were you engaging in Tatreez growing up.
Amanne: you know, are, I guess, spending so much time back home.
Dana: Yeah, actually, surprisingly, doesn't come into my life until Covid, you know, 2021 in that spring and summer. I believe it was you remember, Sheikh Jarrah? Events, and, you know, attacks on Al-aqsa and even Gaza. At the time.
Dana: At that time I was expressing my activism in different ways.
Dana: I had, for example, like an Instagram account for little cute charcuterie boards, and I would I just
Dana: it was a hobby during we picked up a lot of hobbies during Covid, and that was one. But when those events were happening I was even trying to express, you know, awareness through food. So anything I can do. And so
Dana: yeah, at that time, I I just thought you know what. Maybe it's time I learned to trees. It kind of annoyed me. The fact that I didn't know the difference between a machine made and a handmade
Dana: item, and it's like, No, I should. I should know better, and I should do better. And at that time, too, even just learning about our you know our our history, as in, you know, 1948 and post 1948, being more familiar with our history. And what happened in our in, you know history?
Dana: All of that. Just I kinda just kind of grew into.
Dana: you know, an interest for Tatreez, and learning what Tatreez is, and how to practice. But no growing up. Not really interested in Tatreez. I adored it. I you know it's around our house. My mom is obsessed with Tatreez. So we have, like even a whole room in our house, just for you know, like we have, Tatreez has always been there. It's just
Dana: no going to Falasteen. I did not have.
Dana: I didn't see relatives embroider or anything. But when I did express interest to my mom, my mom turns out she did know, but she she learned it so long ago that it wasn't enough for her to teach me. And so at the time I saw she was offering classes online. And I was like, Call us, that's the calling I'm just going to learn online. And
Dana: and yeah, I learned through her and kept up with it. And
Dana: one project leads to another project, and just like with anything in life. The more you do it, the more you practice the better you get at it. And so, or the more comfortable at least you get with it. So
Dana: that's yeah. That's that's how it started. But I run. Yeah, not now. I'm full seen.
Lina: Wow, that's I mean, that's a lot of people's experiences, right? It's like, it's been in front of you the whole time. And you just never thought what went into making this? Or how would I approach making it? And.
Dana: It's there's like a moment where it's like, wait! Why don't I know how to do this? And then you go down the rabbit hole right? It's
Dana: I mean here behind me. I love showing it off because it's like it's better than in my closet. This is my thobe that was made for me, for when I got married for my, and it was a lady in Ramallah that did it, and she's past now. But
Dana: She took like less than a year. I think it took her about 8 months to get it done. But also that's another thing. When I reflect on myself, it's like, well, why don't? Why don't I know how to do something like this? Or why don't I not know more about the motifs or this design? So
Dana: sometimes it's maybe but this can come to you without you really knowing. Do you just pondering about yourself and identity and and stuff? And
Dana: you know you stumble on it somehow.
Lina: Yeah, yeah, that's so beautiful. So have you looked back at that fold now and kind of figured out where all the motifs originate from, and what kind of stitches are in it.
Dana: The last class I taught was at Uc. Davis, and I
Dana: I wouldn't wear it normally to a class, because I'm limited in how far I can walk. It's a it's very narrow, but I was like, you know what
Dana: I'm feeling. The sleeves, the sleeves are long, so I'll wear it. So I wore it, and actually got so many questions on this thobe than other thobes that I've worn
Dana: but yeah, no, it's I mean, you know, like sobs when they make them. These days. It's whatever's popular, it's not, you know, it's not regional or anything. And I didn't have any. I just told her the color scheme I love
Dana: if you want like, I feel like it's very classic, and it's very like a beautiful combination when we have the reds and the orange, and you see green and beige. So that was my only say and the thobe. But yeah, she just. There's a lot of motifs, Eve, if I take a picture, you guys will definitely recognize.
Amanne: And so now that you have been on your own personal Tatreez journey and deepened your practice, have you thought about a thob? Is that in your cards, stitch your own Tov.
Dana: Of course. Yes. So I have. So Samya. Okay. So after I learned Tatreez and got familiar with the threes, I did a couple of projects on Ida cloth. And I was like, Okay, I'm good. Then I was. I braved the denim jacket and I the jacket that I'm wearing now is the jacket that I
Dana: learned so much about. Actually a good half of one part of it. I had to one winter take out all the stitching because it was so off it was off. It was off by a couple stitches.
Dana: and so, luckily I had my cousin, and from Falasteen and she was here to visit, and I was like, you know what
Dana: I still here you go. So she undid it for me, because she's a crocheter, and she was like she's fine, like she was okay with doing that. And I learned a lot with the with the jacket. And so, after I finished the jacket on Instagram. I saw Samia. So Samia leads, you know, a filmmaking class, I think like twice a year she'll have a class.
Dana: and I signed up for it, and I am up to my knee in little trees. Everybody in my cohort is like
Dana: done. Their chest panel, probably their back panel. They're all ahead way ahead of me. But
Dana: You know, it's it's nice to have, like
Dana: some people like to have like one project and finish. I can have a couple, maybe, Max, 3 more than that is too much of ongoing projects that you know. Some can take a little longer, some of them, you know. I need to do them now so definitely, a thobe is in the works. But but Michelle and I. So, Lena, actually, you're somebody that I followed early on when I was 1st on Instagram, and seeing
Dana: I do have to say, seeing your process, and seeing what you went through with your thobe and creating your Thobe and Jed such a beautiful thing, and I really enjoyed seeing you put that together, and very proud of you to now do that for others.
Lina: Thank you, thank you. But wait, tell us more about your Thope. So what is the what are you doing with it? What are the colors. What kind of designs are you thinking.
Dana: So okay. So Samya will say that you know you can make a Ramallah thobe. And this is the colors. And this is the pattern. If you want to make anything else, she can help you design it and guide you through that. So for me, the garden thobe, was like calling me. I love color I love don't get me wrong. I love reds. Reds are beautiful.
Dana: but I think as I do more and do more projects, I think I'm a colorful person, even though I like to think I'm like no more muted and neutrals.
Amanne: I totally see you as a colorful.
Lina: Yeah, that's so interesting.
Amanne: We're doing.
Amanne: You're very vibrant and bright, which I am very drawn to, obviously like 100. Sorry. Go on.
Dana: You know you, too. I mean you, too. You, too. I love the pinks and the purples and the reds. I think. It's nice to be everything. I don't think we have to classify ourselves as this or that, but.
Amanne: Girl.
Dana: We definitely tend to, you know, lean a certain way, though, for sure. So yeah, garden was calling me. I love the flower. I love the ideas of having flowers and then using the variegated thread, too. I use it in a different project. So that's why I was like, okay, I think I can handle a whole thobe with it, I think. And so
Dana: yeah, that's so. Inshallah will be a garden thobe at some point, not anytime soon, but getting there.
Amanne: That's exciting, though I've actually, I feel like the more and more I think about like.
Amanne: For myself, I am very drawn to like garden thobes more and more as well, so I can totally see that. I'm excited to see it come to life because you're really good at documenting your process. Which I think is great, and gets people excited and gets people wanting to try things. And like one of the things that you have been documenting is your is it? Is that what the hashtag is.
Dana: #tatreezyourkeffiyeh.
Amanne: Is a little hashtag. You started in a little movement, if you will, because I've definitely seen people in my community, my local community who are doing it. But you have been taking a and stitching little motifs, and I guess patches, if you will throughout. Can you tell us a little bit about like.
Amanne: What is this project? What started the project? What has it become? What do you hope for the project? Tell us everything.
Dana: Yeah, yeah,
Dana: So you know, I if you followed me long enough you'll see that I kind of
Dana: create a project as I go, and I take you with me because I don't know what I'm doing. I'm just creating. So with this project, I thought, Okay, this is going to be cool if we put some Tatreez on it, because I just I don't know. I love the idea of Tatreez being on a
Dana: but as I was as I started. I was like, you know what? Let's take motifs from different areas and just have it represent different parts of Falasteen, even though, of course, we know not. Every place in Falasteen has a motif or
Dana: you know, could could be represented like others. But you know, we're gonna try our best because we need to. Not only like when Palestine is free, we need to be very familiar with Palestine, right? So we need to know the places we need to familiar, you know. Just be more familiar with even the names. And what these names have become, for example, now so like, for example, I don't know if everybody knows. But
Dana: right now it's being called Tel aviv, but we know it as Yaffa. So yeah. So so that that's how it started. So I started to do motif by motif. I picked different
Dana: motifs from different places.
Dana: and then I have. So that was one side. And so then I knew like when I wear the when we wear the Kuffiyeh we wear it, and it like folded into a triangle, at least right and around us. And so I knew if I did one side, I have to do the other side, you know, going the other way. So
Dana: that is what I'm currently working on. I have not finished and I thought the theme going that way. Why not have it? Document? What's been going on for the last year. So it it is maybe more.
Dana: Some parts of it is like a modern Tatreez. There are pieces. There are motifs that I've created, but created again to represent and not forget different aspects of this genocide. And so, but there is some traditional parts to it, so some motifs will have motifs that already exist.
Dana: You know, in our practice. And so that's really that. Yeah, that's that's where I'm at. And then I know.
Dana: So I haven't shared that there's gonna be a 3rd part. But there should be a 3rd part, because in the bottom we need something right when on the bottom of where they meet the motifs. So we'll see. I'll I'll have to think of that part as I as I go. But currently I'm almost done with the second side. And yeah, just
Dana: just a way to just you know, I feel people are enjoying it because it's another way of showing or being active, you know, showing your activism, or solidarity or or whatnot. And so
Dana: it's, you know, the threes can do that.
Amanne: Yeah.
Dana: Sometimes people just looking at it will invoke so many questions and so much interest. And so it's a different way of having the conversation.
Dana: and you know.
Dana: you know, show just showing people, you know. Our our, you know, beautiful heritage, and our
Dana: more about our pupil.
Amanne: Yeah. And I definitely think that there's like, especially with what you're doing. As far as like documenting, sharing out these different motifs that you're doing along the way. There is like this sense of like community building amongst the people who are stitching it as well, which I think also probably adds, like a special layer again, for anyone who's actually actively stitching along
Amanne: in the process. Because, again, like, I know, people in my own local community who are stitching along, and they talk about it at our circles, and you know I know when when you came out there were some of them who were there at our circle like were able to chat with you about it and demand more motifs.
Dana: Yeah.
Amanne: Do you have a favorite motif? By the way.
Dana: That's tricky. One or part 2.
Amanne: Either, or.
Dana: No, a favorite. To be honest, I chose what I chose, or created what I created because I love the story or or you know different parts of it for different reasons. And I do encourage people if they don't want to take this route like, you know the motifs that I do
Dana: go. There's so many resources we have. Go, and and you know, pick the motifs you like, and you know, 3 is your own. The hashtag was created. Just so. People can get inspired and see even the motifs in different colors and in different ways. And
Dana: for some reason my my Kuffiyeh is a little smaller than everybody else's, so or not, everybody's, but like a lot of people. And so people have more space to keep going on their line, and so to see what they put or what
Dana: you know. Other motifs that they choose is really cool. So it's
Dana: it's really it's I really encourage people to have Tatreez accounts.
Dana: Whether you don't. You don't have to and maybe this is kind of a little off topic. But
Dana: I love seeing pages and the the rise in pages of Tatreez within the last year. Because
Dana: you guys are doing more than you think. You guys again are spreading, you know, beauty, and you are spreading a message of Palestinian people again, not having you don't even have to be Palestinian. But when you share and it's on social media people. You are inspiring others.
Dana: You are again showcasing Palestinians in a different way, in a different light. And so and I think also, you know that is also important in your guys's effort. You guys have the effort of speaking to having conversations like with Dmc. And having them, you know, be more aware of
Dana: of us and our heritage and stuff. And it's 1 thing to show them our history and how we've used. You know their threads and stuff. But how about we show them now of what we do now, and how it's still relevant. And it's still very close to Palestinians and non-Palestinians, too, and and and yeah, just just show this beautiful craft like.
Dana: it's amazing. I love seeing. And that's anyways, that's how traditionally, when we would make thwab, we would be inspired by others around us. And so it's absolutely, absolutely beautiful thing to share and and be creative in that way.
Lina: Totally. I couldn't. I couldn't agree more. I think it's it's not even just that you're sharing, but you're showcasing that there's a lot of people who care about and by extension, Palestine, and that that really does show power in numbers, I mean, on the Dmc. Front. I don't have opinions. We'll talk about that after the recording.
Lina: But but it's but the thing is what you're saying is 100% true. Because, imagine there were all of these accounts, and they were all calling Dmc. Out at the same time like that was part of why, Dmc. Even responded, is because there were. There wasn't just one person. It was like a lot of people saying something. So imagine they go onto Instagram. And they see all these accounts. And they're all using their their products
Lina: like that matters. Those are their customers. And I think there's a lot more power in that than people know or people believe because it. You can feel very small as one individual. But you are part of a collective. I think that's also what's really powerful about Tatreez is that we're a collective. It's not based on one person. It's not
Lina: like you don't have like an inventor of the. It's something that's, you know, been passed around all of the women, and it's being held up and pushed further by all the women who are practicing it. And non-women, of course, who practice it as well.
Lina: I just wanted to say before we like change topics is just on the Kuffiyeh front. I love that you made these unique motifs that represent what we're experiencing today, because it's so easy to forget when every day there's something new that happens. And I think it's so powerful to have a motif representing press, a motif that's representing a kite, and those are those are really important. So like
Lina: shout out to you and and beautiful work. And I also echo what Amani says, I know so many people who are working on their Kuffiyehs. So it is. It has taken off, and I hope to see more of that as well.
Dana: I will say, you know, I'll add, so going doing this part of the Kuffiyeh project
Dana: I am adding, every time you see the motif, and it's well. So if I picked a motif from a region, it's because
Dana: it doesn't probably exist anymore at the moment. Right? And so I will give that background in the Pdf. That they get. But if it's a motif I've made, I explain to them, well, why did I make it. And where is this coming from? And so that serves as like a starting point. Let's say, if they don't know.
Dana: they will know they'll get to know, and they'll start looking. But most people will know. And I think again, it's just being able to just express yourself through the stitches like
Dana: it's it's hard
Dana: are we even coping? I don't even know. Are we coping, or what? Through, you know, this past year? I don't know what to call it, but whatever it is, definitely as you stitch, you can get a lot of stress out and just
Dana: feel like you're doing something. And I know it's you know we're just making X's. But these X's are more powerful than you think. Every every single stitch is more powerful than we think.
Lina: 100%. Where can people find all that information about the Kufi is? We'll make sure to link it in the in the show notes.
Dana: Yeah, I think, the best thing to do is just go through my profile and just go see videos, because
Dana: there's videos about the process, and different motifs and different parts of it, so they can get a feel for it. And then, if they feel that they're ready, my dms are always open. I respond to everybody. I see everything, or I try my best to respond to everybody, because I don't know why my Instagram sometimes will hide my messages, so sometimes I see it much later, but whenever I see it I definitely respond. And this project is kind of like
Dana: I don't know how to call it like, maybe like an achievement project like so people, they 1st send me a message that they're interested. Then I give them an information about how to start. So they have to base. They have to look up a Youtube video or just know how to base waste canvas. Once they get that done, they send me a picture showing me that they have done it. Then I give them the 1st motif, and then when they finish the 1st motif. Then I give them this. So it's a lot of back and forth.
Dana: I think. And so a lot of there is some conversations made, and there is a connection with people, and to be honest, this is what this is, what I love from it. I love having the connection with people so, or feeling that they can reach me, or they can ask me what they what they like. So
Dana: yeah, that that's from my end. This is what what I enjoy. And then I hope they're enjoying, you know, or you know, again, asking anything that they need.
Dana: And yeah, so like, you finish one, then you get the next one. And so it's like, kind of a game achievement game. I don't know
Dana: what you call it. But yeah.
Amanne: I like looking at it as like an achievement game, because it is. It's like a little motivator.
Dana: Yeah, so no, I don't. So so just heads up like, no cause I do get this question, hey? Where are all the Pdfs, well, here's instructions on how to start. So maybe in the future, I might have them on website. Maybe they can all be together there. We've spoken about having it be like that. But I need to get to that point. I'm not. I'm not done with it.
Dana: So.
Lina: I love that, though I love that, that's like that's a great idea. I think.
Dana: Yeah, yeah.
Amanne: Oh, and so you also, there is another pattern that you design. A Palestinian flag pattern. That also kind of took off online? And it was something that you created to raise funds for cause, the relief you were working specifically with pious projects. Correct?
Amanne: And can you tell us a little bit more about that project like how that came to be, and maybe even tell us a little bit about the work that pious projects has been doing.
Dana: Yeah. Yeah. So I'll start with prize project. Price Project is an organization that is a well-known one in our community. And in case, if you don't know their work, they just bring relief to Gaza, and they also document the relief efforts that they do. And so it's an organization that I'm very familiar with. And so.
Dana: you know, when you have people donating, you want to go through places that are, you know, that they recognize or they've known and stuff. And so that's why I chose pious projects. But the
Dana: again, this project, like all my other projects, just organically just happens as I do it. And I just share online. So with this.
Dana: I, I, you know, I
Dana: wanted to create a flag pattern. And I, you know, this is my, take on the flag, and it gets oh, for the for a while I think it was on Jerusalem Day. It got so much hate from the other side, and
Dana: you know why.
Amanne: Really, how did they find like? Wait, tell us more.
Dana: Yeah, I I you know there's some posts that I have, and it will attract for some reason the other side. And this is why I have this policy on my page where I block and delete like. There is no room for this I go through, and I'm very I don't care for this stuff to be on my page, and.
Amanne: Support, that.
Dana: Say what you want. I don't. You know this is our, you know our space. It's a, you know, a safe space for anybody to be pro-Palestinian on, so I don't care for this other side, and
Dana: rarely do you see me respond unless there's a you know, a benefit to that respond. I'll just.
Amanne: Longer, so yes.
Dana: I think it was their Jerusalem day. And I just spend it on yeah, like, it's
Dana: Jerusalem day for us, because Jerusalem is Palestinian. And yeah, so I got I would get. I got a lot of comments on that.
Amanne: Fun.
Dana: Hmm!
Dana: Actually, there was one post
Dana: or like, I think it was. Yeah, early on with October after October 7, th where I had followers, and there was a bunch of different types of followers. But
Dana: they were. There was a lot that, just like, you know, admired Tatreez, but didn't know what it was, or didn't maybe even care what it was.
Dana: And so I had a post, and then again, I get this like, you know.
Dana: you know the negative comments and stuff, and I'm like, Hold on! Hold on like, no, this is. This page is not free for these kind of people. Actually, I'd rather them not be here. So I made another post about like making fun of them. And then that that's the one that you know, I think, got the page popular where it's like
Dana: guys like it's. Yes, it's it's pretty. But like, learn like learn. Well, you know about the people and the people who make this embroidery. So
Dana: yeah, it's social media is pretty interesting.
Amanne: Yeah, definitely a very interesting place, but I think at least it seems like, for the most part, you have found, like a really great and supportive community. I am on the same page as you where I'm like. No, no, no, I don't engage with that nonsense, and I don't leave it up like plus delete and block like.
Dana: Yeah.
Amanne: Go away? So I do. I really love the community that you've built like online. I think that says a lot about you and what you kind of bring to the community as well. I'm curious, just because you mentioned you know how I guess your audience evolved since October October 7.th
Amanne: How has your relationship to Tatreez evolved since the start of the genocide.
Dana: What the 3 is. I just I think I create I think post October 7th is when I really started.
Amanne: To.
Dana: Create on my own and be and express, you know, my feelings with that creativity, I think, before I was. But probably that was, you know, maybe my skill level at the time, too. So before October 7, th I think that that's just when I just finished this jacket and was, you know, getting started on my Philip, for example, getting ready with Samya. And so
Dana: yeah, I think I think it's just being creative. I think that's what happened. And so being creative and just showing, bringing awareness. And so every time I would stitch, there would a lot of my videos
Dana: with the pattern that I have for Aqsa. A lot of those videos are. Yes, you're seeing me stitch, but I'm conveying a message to you in some way, whether it's under in the post or in the in the video itself, or, you know, just even the song choice like, I'm very mindful even of the song choices, because
Dana: you know, I love to listen to audio, and especially on posts and stuff. And so it should relate. I feel like it should relate, or, you know, be relevant. It helps the post for sure. And so,
Dana: yeah, definitely, I think, my creativity started to come out since October. Yeah.
Lina: So since you you've also kind of grown very quickly, and and your content is so interesting to like watch. It's beautiful, it's aesthetically pleasing. And I think that goes back to kind of your how colorful you are, and like all the different colors that you showcase in all the content.
Lina: Let's say someone's listening, and they're kind of curious about creating an Instagram account for their tatreez. What would you advise them to post about and share? I know for me. I like to see when people make mistakes and are just kind of in their natural element. But I'm curious like, what would you advise if someone was like asking you right now, how should they go about it?
Dana: I mean, just just be you just, you know, post what you like post, what interests you, what inspires you, and you know, and slowly. You'll build a community, you know, just through that. And again, you don't have to like. I'm an account that I you don't see my face often. I don't mind showing my face, but it's just I. My page is more for my work. I think so.
Dana: So I don't want people to feel pressure that they have to show themselves, or they have your have your work speak for itself, and I think the most. The way to resonate with people is when you post, tell us why. Why are you posting this? Let us know your feelings. Let us know your thoughts, and that most of the time will give you more of like a you know, more of a reaction, or people will engage more when you do so. But
Dana: I'm telling you there's, you know, the other types of embroideries. They're all all over, you know. At 1 point they were all over my feed, and it's beautiful, but we can also have the trees be like that, too? How amazing would that be.
Amanne: Yes, I completely agree, and I do love seeing other people's work and other people's creativity so cosign. All of that before we kind of wrap up. I do want to take a minute to talk about the local community that you have in Sacramento.
Amanne: You guys are doing pretty regular Tatreez circles there, and it seems like really links and meaningful friendships through Tatreez. So can you share a little bit about the community, and, like what your tatreez circles look like. And if someone is local to Sacramento, and they want to get involved and meet other Tatreezers.
Dana: Yeah. Well, I I say, welcome. Please come, because
Dana: you know so the community, every time we have a circle the circle looks a little different.
Dana: But it's always been an inviting place, a welcoming place for anybody who is Pro-Palestine, you know Palestinian, and they can come. They don't have to know even how you can just come. And
Dana: if you're craving that space or craving, you know. You know that kind of gathering. You're always welcome, even, you know. Bring your own craft. I don't care if you crochet, you want to crochet, you can bring that, too. Why not? So? You can bring your own craft do what you like. But yes, so it's mostly people that come. They do, Tatreez.
Dana: and it's a way for you. So we all, you know we have our friends in our relationships and our family and our lives and stuff. But it's really nice to have, like
Dana: Tatreez friends where, you know you again. It's again. We can do so much on social media. But you know, we are also humans, we also need human interaction. And so when we get together. Having friends, I think, is amazing. So I, for example, Paige Paige has been a blessing in my life. I love Paige. Actually, she's the one who motivated me to start the circles, because I wasn't very confident at that time to
Dana: put myself out there in in my community, and, you know, just start organizing events like this, but she wanted it, and so we got it done. And so you know, it's it's
Dana: you know, been a blessing, and I really encourage people to have them. You can, and you don't. I mean, you don't need one. In every city. You can have so many a circle is just a gathering of friends. And so the way we have it is anybody it could be anybody. So we have some people that come sometimes. There's some usual. Some people are usuals. But yeah, it's again, just for you to have community and for you to
Dana: talk like talk about your, because we I mean, we're going to hear about. We're going to ask you, like, you know, what are you working on? What inspired you to do this. I love these conversations so actually at the circle you can ask Paige. I barely. I maybe get 2, 1 or 2 stitches in like sometimes it's like that.
Dana: I love talking. We all love talking together about our projects, and and you know just everything filters related. So I think it's amazing. I highly support and encourage. Just like you guys supported, encouraged me, too. It wasn't just page. So to have these circles and have these, you know gatherings. And yeah, it's it's it's a beautiful thing.
Dana: It was really nice to do it in Dubai, too. When I went to Dubai we just did that
Dana: organically, because I plan that trip really last minute. And so I was like, you know what? I want some, a sense of Palestine when I'm on this trip. So I was like, okay, let's let me look up on Instagram, who teaches Tatreez, who is active in total. And so it was a really beautiful event, because of the people that were there and seeing them also see their community. I mean, it's it's it's circles are my favorite.
Lina: I love that. That's so true. I yeah, I noticed that you were in Dubai. You were seeing also a lot of people that Amani and I got to meet as well, which was so much fun, are really the best. They're they're so special, they're so special. And I like some of the locations. In Dubai, too. They have some nice, very Palestine owned beautiful spaces.
Lina: but I love that. I think that's so beautiful.
Dana: I wish I don't know about you guys, but I wish we had more of that here.
Lina: No, I know.
Dana: We need more of that. But yeah, that's a 3 circle, says, Hi to you guys, by the way, you ladies.
Amanne: Oh, yeah.
Dana: Yeah.
Amanne: Love, we love.
Dana: Maybe one day we can do something together. But it it's
Dana: again community so amazing. It's really nice to have them. Their blessings.
Amanne: Yeah, no, definitely. Well, okay. We have to ask, of course, as always, are any major life lessons that you have taken from.
Dana: Life lessons, I would say.
Dana: I mean, I was a pretty patient person before, but it's definitely taught me patience. I'm sure this is the common answer. I don't know if I have something super crazy. But yeah, I mean patience. You have to be patient.
Dana: you know beautiful things. Take time sometimes. And you know,
Dana: is one of them. And so you're gonna learn to be patient with finishing a project you're gonna be. You're gonna learn how to be patient with mistakes, even if you're creative, it teaches you patience. Because, like, okay, so when we make a pattern, it's got to be symmetrical. And you know, learning just how to make symmetrical patterns and making colors flow that needs a patience. And so
Dana: you learn patience in different various forms with Tatreez and
Dana: it's it is. It is a beautiful thing. And so if you just give yourself, this is when I teach. I you know.
Dana: you know people. Some people take it, and they continue with it. And some people, of course, are like, this is, this is too much. And so I tell them. If you just give yourself a little bit of time.
Dana: it doesn't have to be every day, but, like you know, give some time to this craft. This craft will give back. You will get better, and you will make something beautiful. And you, you know, and you will be. You will definitely be proud of the piece that you make, you know, and regardless of what your back looks like, like, you will, you will still be very proud, and because you've achieved something. That's you know
Dana: it, you know. Cross Stitch. It looks simple, but it you know it could be. It could be difficult and it could be simple. You want to have strategy and spice it up. It kind of will make it a little more difficult in the beginning. But again, everything with practice gets easier and gets.
Dana: Will flow. So patience! Going back to Patience.
Amanne: Always an important lesson, because, yeah, we could all use more of that. Dana, thank you so much for joining us for talking to us about your Tatreez journey and your work within the Tatreez community. It was a pleasure chatting with you as always. You know. It's just always great to have these conversations, so thank you for joining us and sharing your story.
Dana: Thank you guys, I appreciate it. Thank you for having me.
Amanne: I'm so glad we finally got Dana on. It was great to chat with her, and just like.
Amanne: you know, everyone, always
Amanne: before they jump on the show they're always like, Oh, I don't know like I just I don't know what to share. I don't know what to talk about, and we always tell people like, trust us. Your story is going to be interesting enough, and like it'll just flow, and it always is. And I love hearing about her journey, and like how it's accelerated, and the community that she has been growing and contributing to both online and like locally in Sacramento area, which I definitely need to go visit. I promise I will.
Lina: No, I 100% agree. And as nice as she seems online. And I love hearing people after seeing their work. It's so interesting to kind of put the face and the voice to
Lina: what they create and put out in the world. And it 100% matches. And I just loved. What she shared about, you know, like everyone says that one of the things that they learn most from is patience. But but it's what she says is true. Beautiful things take time, and I think that's just such a beautiful reminder. And
Lina: I don't know. I just yeah. I loved everything that she shared ultimately. And and I think there's so much power again in numbers, so much power, and raising each other up and supporting each other. And she 100% emulates that I guess through the work that she's doing online and and locally. And I think that's wonderful.
Amanne: Yeah, definitely, and again, if you are in the Sacramento area, you should definitely go to one of her deputy circles, hang out with her hang out with Paige, who we've had on the podcast as well. In the past. But they're definitely building a really beautiful community up there. So I say up there, because for me it's North. But you know, whatever.
Lina: But how far is it, by the way, from San Francisco, like an hour.
Amanne: Yee? No, it's like 2 h and a half hours. I don't know. It's far. Bro. I don't know.
Amanne: Sorry, but we'll see. We'll see by Sacramento.
Lina: We'll see you. They'll see you there hopefully one day. I'll join. The next time I come your way we can go up together. I'll drive.
Amanne: Sounds good.
Lina: Amazing, amazing. Well, thank you guys again. So much for listening to another episode of Tatreez Talk. We want to hear your Tatreez journeys. So please please share your stories with us at tatreeztalk@gmail.com, and we might just have you up on an upcoming episode. Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast on your favorite listening platform, and be sure to leave a 5 star review. You can follow me @linasthobe, Amanne @minamanne and of course, make sure you follow the Podcast @tatreeztalk. We will talk to you guys soon.
