The women embroiderers of Bethlehem were known for their bridalwear.
Bethlehem embroidery was renowned for its "strong overall effect of colors and metallic brilliance."
Less formal dresses were made of indigo fabric with a sleeveless coat (bisht) from locally woven wool worn over top.
Dresses for special occasions were made of striped silk with winged sleeves with a short taqsireh jacket known as the Bethlehem jacket.
The taqsireh was made of velvet or broadcloth, usually with heavy embroidery.

Bethlehem work was unique in its use of couched gold or silver cord, or silk cord onto the silk, wool, felt or velvet used for the garment, to create stylized floral patterns with free or rounded lines.
This technique was used for "royal" wedding dresses (thob malak), taqsirehs and the shatwehs worn by married women.
It has been traced by some to Byzantium, and by others to the formal costumes of the Ottoman Empire's elite.
As a Christian village, local women were also exposed to the detailing on church vestments with their heavy embroidery and silver brocade.
The women embroiderers of Bethlehem were known for their bridalwear. Bethlehem embroidery was renowned for its "strong overall effect of colors and metallic brilliance." Less formal dresses were made of indigo fabric with a sleeveless coat (bisht) from locally woven wool worn over top. Dresses for special occasions were made of striped silk with winged sleeves with a short taqsireh jacket known as the Bethlehem jacket. The taqsireh was made of velvet or broadcloth, usually with heavy embroidery.
Bethlehem work was unique in its use of couched gold or silver cord, or silk cord onto the silk, wool, felt or velvet used for the garment, to create stylized floral patterns with free or rounded lines. This technique was used for "royal" wedding dresses (thob malak), taqsirehs and the shatwehs worn by married women. It has been traced by some to Byzantium, and by others to the formal costumes of the Ottoman Empire's elite. As a Christian village, local women were also exposed to the detailing on church vestments with their heavy embroidery and silver brocade.
Bethlehem