Badan Collective
The Art of a Palestinian Thobe Course
The Art of a Palestinian Thobe Course
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ABOUT THIS COURSE
This Fall and Winter 4-8 month online Thobe Course will teach you the anatomy, design, and hand-embroidery of a Palestinian dress.
September to December 2024: Throughout the first four months of instruction, we will cover the best materials to utilize for a thobe, how to create your own tatreez design, a thobe's fabric preparation, cutting, attaching Waste Canvas, stitching, and assembling of thobe pieces by both sewing machine and by hand using the manajil stitch. We will also encourage stitchers to join our online and in-person stitching circles for motivation to finish their thobes.
January to April, 2025: The second four months of this course will consist primarily of 1:1 access to and assistance from the instructor, Bayan Fares, where students can schedule meetings in-person or online for help with their thobe process. It will also consist of access to the class cohort for motivation, support, and further questions.
WHO IS THIS COURSE FOR?
This class is ideal for those who practice tatreez, have basic knowledge of Waste Canvas usage, and are ready to embark on a creative journey to create their first thobe. It can be an intimidating process. We know! You don't need to feel fully ready to join as we will help you through every step of the way. You simply need to have the determination, interest, and time to dedicate to this course. Our instructor and community will be there to support you through the rest.
This class is open to all! Both Palestinians and Non-Palestinians are welcome to join. Upon checkout, you will see a question asking you to indicate "Palestinian" or "Non-Palestinian." This is for the sole purpose of ensuring Palestinians receive allotted and reserved spots to participate in this class, and have access to learn their cultural heritage. There are limited spots available for Non-Palestinians as well. If this describes you, we encourage you to register and join us with the understanding that learning the making of a thobe is like receiving a gift from a Palestinian's home. We ask Non-Palestinians joining this class to approach a thobe in this intentional manner as well as advocate for Palestinian liberation with their voices, bodies, and arts.
COURSE DATES
Sept 9: Registration closes!
Sept 12: Thobe Course Orientation
Sept 26: Class 1: Tatreez Design Creation
Oct 3: Class 2: Anatomy of a Thobe: History and Mechanics
Oct 17: Class 3: Stitch Front and Back Panels (Badan)
Oct 31: Class 4: Stitch Chest Panel (Qaba)
Nov 14: Class 5: Stitch Sleeves (Qum)
Dec 5: Class 6: Stitch Side Panels (Banayik)
Dec 12: Class 7: Thobe Assembly by Machine
Dec 19: Class 8: Thobe Assembly by Hand with Manajil
**All classes will be from 7:00-8:00pm or 7:00-9:00pm Central Chicago Time.
INCLUDED IN THIS COURSE
1) A Printed Thobe Paper Pattern developed by Badan Collective and professional seamstresses, pattern makers, and size graders based on a six-branch thobe from the Ramallah region. Students will be shipped this pattern to the address provided at checkout before Class #1.
2) 9 LIVE Online Instruction Classes with Instructor Bayan Fares. Please reference the dates above for details on these 9 classes.
3) 5 Online Stitching Sessions that will be hosted after some classes to cultivate community and 1:1 assistance for personal thobe questions. Students local to Chicago will also have access to the instructor in-person during the monthly The Badan Village meetings.
4) 1:1 Access to Instructor and optional online calls for personal thobe questions and tatreez design help from Sept 12, 2024 to April 30, 2025.
5) Participation in a Group Cohort of 5-10 Students where participants can motivate each other to start and finish their thobes through the use of a Whatsapp group.
6) Access to Recorded Classes in a Student Portal for the duration of the class as well as 1 month post class (May 31, 2025).
7) (Optional) 12 Count Waste Canvas Sourced From Palestine. Should students choose this option at checkout, the Waste Canvas will be shipped along with the Paper Pattern before Class #1. All Waste Canvas provided will come in a standard 3 yards, 12 count sourced directly from Palestine. This is the best and most recommended Waste Canvas to use for a Palestinian thobe.
*If additional Waste Canvas is required, please email us at info@badancollective.com with your request.
**Students are encouraged to finish their thobe by April 30, 2025!
SIZES
Our Printed Thobe Paper Pattern has been measured and sized for your convenience. All that's left for you to do is choose your preferred size from Small, Medium, Large, and X-Large before checking out, and you'll be set to go to start your thobe journey!
Small (2-4): 37-42 inches wide
Medium (4-6): 39-44 inches wide
Large (8-10): 41-46 inches wide
X-Large (12-14): 44-49 inches wide
*All sizes are all based on the standard U.S. size chart.
ADDITIONAL THOBE MATERIALS NEEDED, NOT INCLUDED:
In order to complete your thobe, you will also need to secure:
1. Fabric
2. Threads Balls
3. A Needle, Scissors, and Tweezers for Waste Canvas Removal
5. Optional Saya Fabric
*Our Thobe Course Orientation class will walk you through all the tips you need to purchase the best fabric, thread balls, and materials!
COURSE INSTRUCTOR
This Thobe Course will be taught by Bayan Fares, a Tatreez Instructor of over 2 years through Badan Collective that has been practicing traditional Palestinian embroidery for 15 years and counting. Bayan has extensive experience with the cross-stitch, knowledge on the history of Palestinian embroidery and dresses, and experience with other stitches practiced in traditional Palestinian costume including the couching stitch (tahriri), joining stitch (manajil), decorative joining stitch (sabala), and more.
Bayan will instruct the course for the first four months and will be available to students for 1:1 assistance for the second four months of this course. She will walk students through the anatomy, history, and mechanics of the Palestinian thobe as well as be available for design help and during online/in-person stitching circles.
MORE INFORMATION
Shipping Discount:
**PLEASE USE CODE "THOBECOURSE" AT CHECKOUT FOR FREE SHIPPING.
Registration and Refunds:
**All registration is non-refundable once registered.
What are you waiting for? Sign up and let's start creating your thobe!
Shipping and Returns
Shipping and Returns
DOMESTIC
At BADAN, our small team works hard to hand-package and ship out your orders in a timely fashion. Most orders are fulfilled in a day, though our typical fulfillment timeline is 3-5 business days. Please note this is separate from shipping time. Once your order is processed, the shipping time varies based on the shipping method that is chosen. Please keep in mind that during holiday periods, this time can be a little longer.
INTERNATIONAL
BADAN ships internationally. All additional taxes, customs, and import duties are the responsibility of the customer. We do, however, do our best to minimize your costs upon arrival in your country. We have a 14-day return policy, which means you have 14 days after receiving your item to request a return.
RETURNS
We understand that sometimes things just don't work out! If this happens, we will be happy to help you initiate a return. To request one, you may contact us at info@badancollective.com. Your item must be in the same condition that you received it, unworn or unused, with tags, and in its original packaging. If your return is accepted, we’ll send you instructions on how and where to send your package.
Please note we do not cover return shipping fees for non-damaged items, and funds take 2-3 business days to appear on the original payment method.
Care
Care
Hand-embroidered tatreez items or woven fabrics can be hand-washed or machine-washed cold using delicate settings and light laundry detergent. We then recommend air drying. This helps preserve the longevity of your piece and further aid in its preservation for years to come.
