The Thobe Project - Summer 2025 Cohort

Check out reviews from practitioners across the cohorts of the last 5 years!

This class has honestly been a dream come true. You have been very supportive throughout the course and it made the world of a difference. -Hayah, Summer 2024

My experience so far has been amazingly wonderful. This class is the one place in my week that I truly look forward to attending. Each week has been a joy. I feel the support is top notch and any question big or small is addressed in a very timely manner, clear, and detailed manner. I’ve already learned so much not just about tatreez but about my Palestinian history as well. One thing that stood out was when the Friends School was mentioned, I lived near the school and never thought about the influence it had on tatters design. I found it interesting and can’t wait to learn even more about how tatreez has been shaped over the years. -Mayse, Summer 2024

I think we all feel really anxious but you are so great at breaking down what is needed and providing support and it's clear you are thinking about possible mistakes ahead of time, etc. It is really incredible the skills you are teaching us. Thank you Samia! I have seen some other thobe courses out there and I feel like your class is genuinely rooted in the history AND the politics of the making the thobe where I feel the other courses are about consumption. -Christina, Summer 2024

I love this class. It’s so fun and exciting to learn tatreez with Samia. She is a wonderful teacher. The instruction and how the course builds on top of each other is so manageable and anyone can do it. I also love all the history and personal stories Samia shares in the class. And its really nice to meet others who also appreciate this art and learning the ways of our ancestors! -Zeina, Summer 2024

I have learned SO MUCH! Samia really made my dream come true. I have always dreamt of making my own thobe, and now I am doing exactly that! Samia, you are so organized and such a teacher. I felt supported all through out the course. It almost didn't feel like it was online. -Nadia, Winter 2023

I had a very specific vision for the thobe I wanted to create, and I am beyond grateful that Samia took the time to listen to me and help me bring my vision to life inshAllah from the design, to fabric, and to thread colors.Samia was even kind enough to go to a fabric store near her to help me look for fabric. That to me is friendship and not just an instructor. Wallahi I am forever grateful, and cherish everything about this co-hort. Everything about this course adds sentimental meaning to the backstory of my thobe, from the community, to the planning and to the tatreez circles. I imagine myself telling these stories to my grandkids one day. -Suhaila, Winter 2023

If you are on the fence about joining this course, please take the leap and go for it! I couldn't recommend it enough! There truly isn't another course like this out there, and the support and instruction that Samia provides is unmatched. I came into this course with hardly any experience in tatreez and zero experience in sewing so if you are in a similar situation, don't let that stop you from this incredibly valuable experience. Samia has set up the course beautifully and not only is she an incredibly skilled practitioner, she is such a natural when it comes to teaching the process to others. Everything is shown step by step, and Samia provides so much support along the way. You'll also get to connect and learn alongside so many amazing ladies! This is so much more than a course - it's a community! -Nadia, Summer 2023

It was one of the most enjoyable classes I’ve ever taken. I actually learned how to make a thobe with my own hands. That means so much to me because I feel more connected to my heritage. I felt very supported throughout the learning process and the community we have is amazing. We built connections throughout the process and cheered each other on. -Meisuleen, Summer 2022

Where to begin? This class is historical walkthrough and on Palestinian costumes and creation. One of my most favorite aspects was the fabric class and sustainability. In a capitalistic and fast fashion society, it was amazing to learn about Palestinian dress making and the zero-waste tradition. Support: I loved the use of the chat group. It wasn't exhausting to keep up with and easy to reach out to both the instructor and the cohort. Samia was extremely present and made it easy to ask questions and work through each class assignment. -Fatima, Summer 2022

I feel like I have learned soo soo much from this class. I never imagined that I would be able to put a thobe together myself. Not only have I learned the history of thobes, the regional techniques, etc. but I have also learned how to put it together by hand a preserve the heritage of our ancestors, and that is the most amazing thing to me. Samia is always available for questions and really does so much to make sure that we feel supported in this journey. I love her teaching style and how she really allows us to take the reins and is there as a guide. I feel confident that making this first thobe will be the first of many thanks to this course. The only thing I wish we had is more time together -- I have really enjoyed the circles and find them really useful. I wish we could have more throughout the week! -Yazmina, Summer 2021

Being aware that tatreez and the ancestral methods of Palestinian thobe-making have always been transmitted through orality, I feel privileged to be receiving the teachings in the Thobe Project. The class maps out very nicely the history and traditions of thobe-making, and Samia's stories and personal tatreez journey have allowed me to connect with tatreez on an insider level. Coming from a level of only having seen tatreez on smaller items, I really loved understanding the connection between tatreez, thobe, womanhood, traditions and belonging. I felt the circle/sense of community was possible from the get go, without having met anyone in person, because Samia holds the space with amazing pedagogy, patience, and generosity. I found each meeting to be very inspirational, and the quality of the teaching really elevated thanks to the teaching camera, digital sketches, the miniature demos on small fabric, and the live hand demonstrations. Everything was laid out with great clarity. I feel so very supported in this journey, despite my delays, I am not feeling behind or left out. Hoda, Summer 2021

This thobe making journey has been a dream of mine for quite awhile. I’ve learned all about the history behind tatreez and thobe making, the fabrics, motifs/designs, and threads. I am so happy to have come across Tales of Tatreez. Samia is very knowledgeable in the field, providing step-by-step guidance even for those less experienced. I’ve also made some new friends on this journey who share the same passion as mine for thobe making :). Through this experience, I hope to teach my daughter what I’ve gained to help keep this precious Palestinian art and culture alive for many generations to come. -Nesreen, Winter 2021

I love this class a lot! I am really enjoying the class so far. I feel so supported by Samia and feel that the class is very well paced. She is very good at explaining each step of the process when we tackle it. -Reem, Winter 2021


I would 100000000% recommend this course. I have learned so much through the course about the construction of the thobe and naturally tidbits of history throughout the process. I have learned more about all the different aspects that go into making a thobe from the course and the amazing people in the course as well. I've learned about new tools that one can use, different approaches to similar problems and so much more! I am so grateful for this course (it has literally made my 2020!) and would recommend it to anyone who is interested in making a thobe, but especially to Palestinian Americans who have lost this treasured art form in our families this last generation. -Asma, Fall 2020

The Thobe Cohort experience has enhanced my learning and knowledge of Palestinian tatreez since I started. I have a deeper connection to my roots and more meaning to my tatreez practice. Samia does a great job going into details and breaking down the processes into manageable steps. She listens to our questions, feedback, and emotions and adjusts to fit what the group needs. This has also given me the opportunity to connect with passionate women around the world and learn new methods and ideas for my practice. Joining the thobe cohort has provided me sisterhood with the other practitioners. I look forward to every class. I never imagined creating my own thobe before. This class has given me the confidence and skills needed to do it and have pieces to pass down to my family in the future. - Samia (practitioner), Fall 2020