S4E6. Natural Dyes & Ancestral Ties with Farah

Send us Fan MailFARAH IS A TATREEZ ARTIST, CRAFTER, POET, AND GRAPHIC DESIGNER (@artcoloredglasses). Farah shares her family roots in the village of Kur near Tulkarem, and speaks about the generational trauma caused by the 1948 Nakba, which split her family across borders. Though her great aunts were seamstresses, Farah grew up cut off from the tradition of embroidery. She shares how this generational rupture shaped her longing for cultural connection while growing up between the U.S. and the Gulf.Farah speaks about finally learning tatreez in 2020 through online classes. It became a way to reclaim something she always felt was hers but never had access to. She weaves in memories of learning Western-style quilting from her American grandmother and describes how tatreez opened space for healing, grief, and creative expression rooted in her Palestinian identity.Farah also shares her excitement about making—and one day spinning—her own thread. She talks about hand-dyeing, using every last scrap, and dreaming of reclaiming thread production as a cultural practice. Her approach is rooted in sustainability, honoring natural resources without waste. For her, crafting is not just personal—it’s political, ancestral, and full of possibility.If you’re in Phoenix, connect with Farah on all things tatreez and hand-dyeing!You’ll hear about:>> 0:40: Farah’s connection to Palestine>> 4:44: Family connections, growing up in the US, and visiting Palestine>> 12:58: Beginning her tatreez journey>> 19:26: Art Colored Glasses>> 26:03: Exploring botanical dyeing and what Farah has learned so far>> 37:20: The influence of exploring hand-dyeing on her tatreez practice>> 40:26: How tatreez inspires finding community>> 48:42: What’s next for Farah’s tatreez journey>> 52:15: Major life lessons from tatreezRate, Review, & Follow on Your Favorite Podcast Platform“I love Palestinian embroidery and Tatreez Talk.” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! This helps us elevate the vibrant narratives of Palestinian embroiderers and support more tatreez-ers — just like you — in learning more about tatreez and connecting with each other. You can find us on Spotify, Apple Podcast, and others -- just scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let us know what you loved most about the episode!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. We’re adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now!Links Mentioned>> Find Farah at her website Art Colored Glasses>> Find Farah’s graphic design work with Bahja Brands (website, IG)>> Refining the Production Date of Historical Palestinian Garments Through Dye Identification articleBoycott Resolute RGL. Click here for more information. Boycott ZARA and all Inditex brands—Bershka, Massimo Dutti, Pull & Bear, Stradivarius, Oysho, ZARA Home. Click here for more information.Follow us @tatreeztalkFollow Amanne @minamanne & Lina @linasthobe