Zaynab Basem Tawil
Zaynab Basem Tawil (she/they) is a Palestinian-Syrian American embroidery artist and mental health advocate. She leads the design and archival account, Designs by Noona (named in honor of her family’s nickname for her). She is currently based between Duwamish (“Seattle”) and Lenapehoking (“New York”) lands.
Designs by Noona is a Palestinian/Syrian-owned embroidery brand that focuses on reimagining and preserving Levantine embroidery in a modern context. We tariz onto accessories, including bucket hats and bags, leaning on traditional motifs and continually creating new ones that reflect our lived experiences as diaspora.
Zaynab digitally preserved a set of motifs and patterns featured on Tirazain including the AlMasa / The Diamond series based on documentation by Nimir Sarhan.
Pattern 1 | Pattern 2 | Pattern 3 | Pattern 4
We’re so grateful for Zaynab Basem Tawil’s support of Tirazain’s mission to to digitally document, preserve and reclaim Palestinian embroidery.
