The Tatreez Institute Guidelines
The below outlined guidelines refers to the Tatreez Institute (TI), synonymous with Tatreez & Tea, to include any collateral, published research, class curricula, lectures, talks, essays, self-published work and any written or designed materials produced by and for Wafa Ghnaim. Please note that store policies regarding refunds, replacements, and lost orders can be found here.
Last Revision: September 11, 2025
Author: Wafa Ghnaim, wafa@tatreezandtea.com
Mission
The Tatreez Institute (Tatreez & Tea), founded by Wafa Ghnaim in 2016, is dedicated to preserving, researching, and documenting Palestinian embroidery, dress, and history, while also engaging related traditions from Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, and Jordan.
Committed to safeguarding intangible cultural heritage and preventing cultural erasure, the Institute stewards a study collection of more than 180 traditional dresses and headdresses rematriated from dumpsters, estates, households, and vintage shops worldwide. This collection—cared for through Palestinian hands—supports research, conservation, and education that ensure the practices, skills, and rituals of Palestinian embroidery, as recognized by UNESCO in 2021, continue to be studied, practiced, and transmitted across generations in exile.
All proceeds from the shop directly support the conservation, storage, and care of the collection, as well as the Institute’s related publications, research, and design work. To ensure ethical stewardship and accessibility, the Institute prioritizes educational initiatives—including books, essays, self-published works, patterns, e-courses, events, and lectures—that share this cultural legacy with broader communities.
Appropriation of Palestinian Arts & Culture
Appropriation, authorship, and ownership are important conversations in the art world. Appropriation is the practice of selectively using pre-existing objects and images in artwork, without referencing the original work. The act of appropriating can be confusing, because different communities and artists view borrowing, appropriating, and copying in various ways.
The TI defines the appropriation of Palestinian arts and culture as the unacknowledged or inappropriate adoption, practice, wear, use, or sale of Palestinian motifs, needlework, customs, practices, ideas, and traditional methods by a non-Palestinian. It is important that customs, beliefs, art, and culture are shared across and between communities, but it is not appropriate for non-Palestinians to seize aspects of Palestinian arts and culture and profit from them.
Those that do not identify as Palestinian, or have no Palestinian familial or ancestral origins, are encouraged to learn, share and appreciate the art form. Purchasing or learning Palestinian embroidery from a Palestinian organization or individual is appropriate — under the condition that they cite the Palestinian origin of the piece, as well as the historical and cultural context. It is considered inappropriate for non-Palestinians to produce, learn or use Palestinian embroidery, and then sell or adopt the art form as their own.
The TI firmly believes that the preservation and practice of traditional Palestinian embroidery must center and uplift Palestinian voices. Wafa does not support any non-Palestinian student (past, present, or future) of the TI to adopt, practice, wear, or use Palestinian motifs, embroidery, and techniques for profit or charity. Wafa teaches Palestinian embroidery to non-Palestinians under the condition that they do not appropriate, adopt or assimilate the art form in any public or private forum, whether it is for profit, charity, or otherwise.
Students participating in the TI must agree in the belief that only Palestinians should serve as the culture bearers of textile traditions originating in historic Palestine — and that the sale or adoption of Palestinian embroidery by other cultures and individuals only increases its endangerment.
Any act or expressed interest in appropriating Palestinian arts and culture merits the immediate termination of studies with the TI without refund, and the individual(s) will be removed immediately. Violation of this policy is considered so severe that individual(s) will be banned without any guarantee to return or restore their relationship with the instructor. Furthermore, the instructor reserves the right to share her experience with others to prevent the individual(s) from endangering the art form any further.
Please note that the same policy applies to any cultural study provided in the TI, including Syrian textiles and dress.
Credit lines & Citations
The Tatreez Institute (Tatreez & Tea) requires that all research, objects, and materials shared by or through Wafa Ghnaim—whether in classes, lectures, social media, or personal discussions—be properly cited when referenced in academic work, social media, publications, or other formats.
When sharing objects from the Tatreez Institute Collection, the appropriate credit line must also be included. Citations should follow the standards required by your discipline (e.g., Chicago, MLA, APA). The examples below provide typical formats:
Example 1: E-Course
Wafa Ghnaim, “The Art Historical Timeline of Palestinian Embroidery,” Module 3. The Tatreez Institute (2021). Accessed June 24, 2024. https://www.tatreezandtea.com/art-history.
Example 2: Embroidery by Wafa Ghnaim
Invisible (2019), Wafa Ghnaim. The Tatreez Institute Collection; Washington, DC.
Example 3: Object from the Tatreez Institute Collection
[Detail of dress, confirmed by Wafa Ghnaim via email]. The Tatreez Institute Collection; Washington, DC. Accessed [day, month, year]. [tatreezandtea.com; Instagram @tatreezandtea @thetatreezinstitute].
Example 4: Lecture or Class
Wafa Ghnaim, [“Name of class or lecture”], presented on [date], [venue], [city, state].
Example 5: Oral History, Interview, Chat, or Discussion
Wafa Ghnaim. Interview by [your name]. Conducted [day, month, year].
Example 6: The Tatreez Institute Blog
Wafa Ghnaim, “Object Highlight: Ismail Shammout’s ‘A Salute to Bait Sahour’ (1989),” The Tatreez Institute (blog), March 12, 2025. https://www.tatreezandtea.com/tatreezing/2025/3/object-highlight-ismail-shammouts-a-salute-to-bait-sahour-1989.
Intellectual Property, Privacy & Copyright
All curriculum, research, publications, designs, patterns, and materials produced by Wafa Ghnaim and The Tatreez Institute (Tatreez & Tea) are protected by copyright, intellectual property, and trademark law. By enrolling in a class, purchasing materials, or downloading affiliated content, students and participants agree to the following:
Ownership & Rights
Wafa Ghnaim retains all rights, titles, and interests to her work, including patterns (including those contributed by designers under contract), research, curricula, publications, lectures, and digital content.
The names, logos, product designs, and branding of The Tatreez Institute and Tatreez & Tea are protected trademarks and may not be used without explicit written permission.
Traditional embroidery patterns in isolation, outside of the context of The Tatreez Institute’s authored publications and collateral, belong to the community and culture.
Prohibited Uses
Distribution, reproduction, or publication of hand-drawn patterns, research, written histories, recorded sessions, video links, student portal content, curricula, or emails is strictly prohibited, both publicly and privately.
Misuse, misrepresentation, or unauthorized sharing of content may result in:
Immediate removal from classes, groups, or memberships without refund.
Revocation of access to student portals or class recordings.
Legal action, including copyright enforcement and reporting violations to platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and other social media providers.
Academic & Cultural Standards
All materials and presentations by The Tatreez Institute incorporate proper academic citations in accordance with The Chicago Manual of Style, 17th edition, Chapter 14, and Elements of Indigenous Style by Greg Younging.
Users citing The Tatreez Institute’s research or content must include appropriate credit lines and citations as outlined in the Citation & Credit Policy.
Content Access
Student portals and class recordings may be deleted within one month of class completion, or sooner if deemed necessary.
Memberships and group chat participation are privileges that may be revoked at any time for violations of these policies.
Wafa Ghnaim reserves the right to sever relationships with individuals who compromise the safety, integrity, or values of The Tatreez Institute, without advance notice or refund.
Social MediA & COLLATERAL
All materials created and distributed by Wafa Ghnaim, The Tatreez Institute (Tatreez & Tea), including but not limited to patterns, recorded sessions, video links, student portal content, curricula, and emails, are protected by copyright and intellectual property law. Unauthorized distribution, reproduction, or dissemination of these materials is strictly prohibited and will be pursued for removal.
Content shared online without prior written consent from Wafa Ghnaim will be reported to the relevant platform(s) (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, and others) as a copyright and intellectual property violation and subject to immediate removal.
Important Note: Traditional embroidery patterns, when considered in isolation, belong to the community and culture at large. However, copyrighted publications, instructional designs, and course materials created by Wafa Ghnaim, The Tatreez Institute, and Tatreez & Tea are protected and fall within the scope of this policy, unless explicitly stated otherwise.
Prohibited Uses
Sharing or distributing videos, passwords, or portal access credentials
Forwarding or reproducing emails, patterns, or course curricula
Posting screenshots of lectures or lecture images on social media, whether accounts are public or private
For questions or permissions, please contact wafa@tatreezandtea.com.
Dress & Embroidery Donations
The Tatreez Institute (Tatreez & Tea) accepts traditional dress and embroidery donations for preservation, documentation, and research purposes only.
Non-Commercial Stewardship
Donations are never sold. The Institute has not and will not sell donated items. All accepted donations are preserved as culturally and historically valuable objects for research, education, and community engagement.Transfer of Ownership
By donating, the donor acknowledges that accepted items become the permanent property of The Tatreez Institute (Tatreez & Tea). The Institute retains full discretion over the care, display, research use, and long-term stewardship of donated items. Donations cannot be reclaimed once accepted into the collection.Collaborative Stewardship
Under certain circumstances, items may be transferred or stewarded to another appropriate cultural institution. Such transfers will be made in consultation with the donor whenever possible, with the goal of ensuring ethical and culturally responsible care.Eligibility & Review
Donation requests are evaluated according to ethical and practical considerations, including conservation needs, cultural relevance, documentation value, storage capacity, and curatorial priorities. Acceptance is not guaranteed.Non-Regional Materials
If you wish to donate traditional dress or embroidery that falls outside the region of focus, the Institute may assist in identifying a more appropriate institution to ensure respectful preservation.Submission Process
To request consideration, please complete the donation form below. Images and inquiries may also be sent to wafa@tatreezandtea.com.
Inclusion & Anti-Bullying
The Tatreez Institute (Tatreez & Tea) is committed to the inclusion of Palestinians and allies in preserving Palestinian embroidery and traditions.
We affirm our commitment to:
Acknowledging and dismantling inequities in the classroom, whether through conduct, language, or behavior.
Questioning underlying assumptions that interfere with inclusiveness.
Practicing transparent, supportive, and compassionate communication in all settings.
Leading with respect and tolerance, both in-person and online.
Ensuring Palestinian voices are centered and uplifted, without appropriation or tokenization.
Bullying & Harassment
Bullying, gossip, exclusion, or harassment of any kind is prohibited in the classroom, online, or in group forums. The instructor reserves the right to excuse or remove any student whose behavior creates an unsafe or hostile environment.
Examples of prohibited conduct include but are not limited to:
Verbal bullying: Persistent antagonism, slander, ridicule, insults, hurtful nicknames, humiliating remarks, or offensive accusations.
Physical bullying: Threats or acts of physical harm, including pushing, shoving, damaging property, or assault.
Gesture bullying: Nonverbal gestures intended to threaten, intimidate, or demean.
Online bullying/cyberbullying: Sending hateful messages, spreading rumors, posting unauthorized images, wrongful accusations, harassment, or attempts to extract personal information.
Other forms of unacceptable behavior include:
Spreading gossip or rumors about classmates or the instructor.
Persistent targeting or singling out of an individual.
Interrupting, silencing, or refusing to acknowledge another’s contributions.
Excessive criticism unrelated to performance.
Public reprimands, humiliation, or mobbing (coordinated campaigns of ridicule or exclusion).
Social exclusion, ostracism, or coordinated efforts to isolate.
Patronizing or denigrating behavior toward Wafa Ghnaim or others.
Exclusion & Group Chats
Group chats are reserved for current and alumni students. Declining admission to non-eligible individuals is not considered exclusionary.
Removal of members for violating these policies is also not exclusionary.
Group chats may be closed at the instructor’s discretion. Students are welcome to form independent groups or connect with Wafa through social media.
Professional Conduct
Constructive critique of the work, mission, and projects of The Tatreez Institute is welcome, provided it is expressed with professionalism, kindness, and respect. Students are not entitled to the labor, instruction, or research of Wafa Ghnaim if they engage in disrespectful or harmful behavior.
Reporting
Individuals who believe they have experienced bullying or harassment should report it promptly to wafa@tatreezandtea.com before the conduct becomes severe or pervasive.
conflict resolution
If disagreements arise regarding the application of these policies, or if a removed student wishes to seek reconciliation, they may submit a written proposal to wafa@tatreezandtea.com. Proposals should outline constructive next steps toward resolution, with the goal of ensuring the mental, emotional, and physical safety of all parties involved.
While such situations are rare, Wafa Ghnaim reserves the right to block, restrict, or end communication with individuals—including via social media—if she determines that her safety, or that of her family, students, communities, or research, is compromised by unsafe, threatening, or bullying behavior.
In the event that a blocked individual wishes to pursue restorative justice, they may initiate contact via email only.