Balat Hand-Stitched Sweatshirt

Palestinian women in Al Baqaa’ Refugee Camp, Jordan, cross-stitch the tatreez by hand using DMC embroidery thread, through Boqaa Collective.

The sweatshirt is a manufactured garment with embroidery applied by hand. This is a repeatable design, with small variations in the individual stitching.

Balat means “tiles.” Its red geometric motifs and green accents recall the patterned surfaces that give a home its character: details remembered long after leaving a room.

The embroidery begins at one shoulder and returns near the opposite hem. Between them, the black fabric gives the pattern space, bringing the rhythm of tilework into a garment without losing its connection to home.

Palestinian women in Al Baqaa’ Refugee Camp, Jordan, cross-stitch the design by hand through Boqaa Collective. Pattern moves from architecture into thread, joining the memory of a place with the work of the women who stitch it.

The unisex cotton-blend sweatshirt has a crew neckline and long sleeves. Balat is for carrying that connection into ordinary days: not an image of home to set aside, but something to keep near.

Colour: Black with red and green embroidery.
Fabric: 85% cotton, 15% polyester.
Fit: Unisex.
Crew neckline and long sleeves.
Embroidery placement: Shoulder and opposite lower front.
Embroidery: Hand-stitched Palestinian tatreez cross-stitch.
Thread: DMC embroidery thread.
Hand-embroidered by Palestinian women in Al Baqaa’ Refugee Camp, Jordan.
Embroidery applied by hand to a manufactured garment.
Small variations in stitching may occur.
Chest width is measured flat, underarm to underarm.
Refer to the size chart for garment measurements, not body measurements.
Ready to ship.
Hand wash gently in cold water using a mild detergent.
Do not bleach, soak, scrub, or wring.
Reshape and lay flat to dry in the shade.
Do not tumble dry or iron directly over the embroidery.

Every piece from The Olive Tree is made by hand, with care. If something arrives damaged, incorrect, or simply isn't right for you, we want to make it right.

Shipping

Orders are dispatched within 4-5 business days. You'll receive a tracking number once your order ships.

Estimated delivery times:

• Canada: 2-6 business days
• USA: 6-10 business days
• UK: 8-14 business days
• Europe & Worldwide: 14-24 business days

We maintain a 99.8% successful delivery rate across all orders.

Please note: international orders outside Canada and USA may be discarded by customs if undeliverable and are not eligible for replacement.

Returns & Exchanges

Returns and exchanges are accepted within 14 days of delivery. Items must be unused, unworn, and returned in their original condition and packaging.

Exchanges

We issue the return label for Canada and USA orders — the cost of return shipping and outbound exchange shipping is shared with you upfront before anything is processed. Once payment is confirmed, send the item back. We inspect it upon arrival and ship your exchange.

International customers arrange and pay their own return shipping. Outbound exchange shipping is invoiced separately before dispatch.

Refunds

If you decide to return instead of exchange, we issue a return label for Canada and USA orders — the shipping cost is deducted from your refund. Refunds cover item value only. Original shipping fees are non-refundable.

International customers cover their own return shipping. Refund is issued for item value only. All refunds are processed after inspection.

Lost or missing packages

If your order doesn't arrive within the carrier's delivery window, contact us within 14 days of the marked delivery date and we will make it right — replacement or store credit, depending on the situation. We may ask for confirmation details before processing.

A note on handmade goods

Each piece carries the mark of the hands that made it. Slight variations in pattern, color, or texture are not defects — they are part of what makes the piece real. We do not accept returns for minor natural variation. Replacements are issued for damaged or incorrect items with photo proof.

The Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF) is a Palestinian-led humanitarian organization providing medical care and emergency relief to children and families. Its teams work on the ground in Gaza and across Palestine, strengthening local healthcare and helping children access treatment.

10% of revenue from every purchase is donated to PCRF.

Visit our fundraising page to learn more, follow our collective impact, or donate directly.