Muslim & Palestinian Owned
Designed & crafted with purpose
$2.60
Naturally dyed perle cotton thread #8 for all your tatreez needs!
Before the introduction of synthetic dyes and readymade threads, Palestinian women used to spin and dye their own embroidery thread using the natural materials around them.
Help revive this nearly extinct tradition by incorporating naturally dyed thread into your next tatreez project! Your support allows me to continue experimenting with new dyes and researching the traditional methods and materials once used by Palestinian women.
Perle or pearl cotton is a non-divisible 2-ply 100% cotton embroidery thread. The thread is mercerized, which gives it a characteristic sheen. Each skein measures approximately 8 meters (9.8 yards).
I personally dye all of the embroidery thread I sell in small batches using natural dyes such as madder root, logwood, turmeric, and more. Please purchase all the thread you need for a project as I cannot guarantee replicating the exact color with a new batch. For large or custom orders, please contact me directly at farah@artcoloredglasses.co.
Note on botanical dyes:
Natural dyes are not the same as synthetic dyes. While I use a mordant as a fixative for most dyes, botanical dyes, by nature, will likely fade or change over time. I use botanical dyes on all threads and all aida cloth colors, with the exception of black and white.
Care Instructions:
I recommend using botanically dyed thread on projects that will not be worn (e.g. framed pieces) if you are concerned about light and wash fastness. If you do need to wash your piece, hand wash in cold water with a small amount of gentle detergent or shampoo. Keep in mind that colors may still bleed, even though I thoroughly rinse the thread after dyeing.
Rooted in
Frequently asked questions
What natural dyes do you use?
I use a variety of natural dyes and often experiment with new materials. I do a mix of traditional dyes (madder root, turmeric, saffron, onion skins and sumac), dyes readily available where I live (acorns and avocado skins), and other dyes easily accessible through small, independent businesses (logwood, sappanwood, etc.). I also plan to start my own dye garden soon and hope to start dyeing with my own plants in 2026 inshaallah.
Why natural dyes?
Before the introduction of commercial embroidery thread from Europe (e.g. DMC), Palestinian women used to make and dye their own thread using silk fibers from Syria and Lebanon. They would color their thread using alum as a mordant (fixative) and natural materials readily available to them, such as madder root, indigo, and pomegranate rinds. The art of spinning and dyeing our own thread has virtually been lost. This is my humble attempt at reviving it.
Are all your threads naturally dyed?
Most of my threads are naturally dyed and will indicate so in the product title an description. However, I do also sell some Wonderfil thread sets that are not naturally dyed and may occasionally produce collections that are hand-dyed with synthetic dyes.
Can I stitch a thobe or clothing with naturally dyed thread?
Yes! I recommend doing this with an item of clothing you don't intend to wear on a daily basis to avoid frequent washing and preserve the color as long possible.
Can I combine naturally dyed thread with synthetically dyed thread in the same project?
Absolutely! Just make sure you are using the same type of thread (e.g. pearl cotton #8) and that you follow proper care instructions.
Is silk harder to stitch with?
If you are used to stitching with perle cotton thread, some silk threads might require a bit of a learning curve. Perle silk, for example, tends to be very slippery and might unravel easily at the ends. Spun silk, on the other hand, is fairly easy to stitch with, but is more likely to fray or catch when undoing stitches. I do recommend knotting your thread when stitching with silk or at least tucking a much longer length of thread. Long term, silk threads tend to be stronger and more durable than cotton.
How long do natural dyes last?
How long a natural dye lasts is dependent on many factors, such as the type of fiber, the dye used, sun exposure, washing methods and frequency, and even temperature. It would be dishonest to guarantee a specific length of time. For example, silk fibers tend to hold onto color longer than cotton. Additionally, a piece exposed to a lot of direct sunlight could potentially fade dramatically within a year. Even synthetic dyes will fade over the years and almost no dyes, natural or otherwise, are truly permanent. With that being said, naturally dyed fibers have the potential to last for many years with proper care.
How should I wash naturally dyed items?
In order to preserve your fibers and colors as long as possible, spot clean naturally dyed items when you can and handwash using cold water and a gentle detergent (e.g. ECOS). Be aware that some colors may run slightly.
Why do you use Wonderfil and not DMC?
While DMC has not been directly complicit in the occupation, their response to a widespread petition from the tatreez community was abysmal. DMC has been used almost exclusively by Palestinian women for nearly a century, but they could not even manage to produce a collection of tatreez patterns that were actually Palestinian. Eventually, my goal is to find sources for perle cotton and silk threads within the Muslim world and also start spinning thread by hand. I believe it is critical to our liberation as Palestinians to reclaim the trade relationships and systems of manufacturing that were forcibly taken from us. Tatreez supplies might only be a tiny speck amidst everything else, but it is something within my power to attempt to change.
How long does it take an order to ship?
All physical items will usually be ready to ship within a week, but may take up to two weeks to process. If your order is more urgent, please fill out my contact form to see if I can accommodate an earlier ship date. All items are shipped via USPS Ground Advantage which will take about 2-5 business days to arrive once shipped.
Do you ship internationally?
I currently only ship within the United States, although this may change in the future.
What is your return/refund policy?
I will not give out refunds for digital items (e.g. embroidery patterns, printable coloring pages, etc.) and custom orders. No partial refunds for Tatreez Kits. All other items are eligible for returns and refunds under the following conditions:
- Items must be returned within 14 days of delivery.
- Buyer is responsible for cost of shipping unless a separate agreement is made.
- Items must be unopened, unused, and in their original condition