A reader recently asked about stripes on a tallit, so I thought the topic would make a good blog post. A tallit, Jewish prayer shawl, does not have to have stripes. You’ll often see tallits with stripes in Ashkenazi communities. In Sephardic Jewish communities, however, the tradition is for the tallit to be plain white. … Continue reading
Author Archives: Sew Jewish
The Royal Pomegranate
The pomegranate’s natural crown fits its royal status among Jewish symbols. Widely referenced in the Bible, it’s one of the seven agricultural species symbolizing the abundance of the Promised Land. God’s instructions for the High Priest’s robe include decorative pomegranates woven into the hem. King Solomon had pomegranates carved into the crowns of the columns … Continue reading
Shabbat Candles as Challah Cover Symbol: A Delight
No one quite knows anymore when the practice of lighting Shabbat candles began, but traditional sources agree that the practice reflects the prophet Isaiah’s appeal to “call the Sabbath a delight” (Isaiah 58:13). As Friday night falls, kindling the Shabbat candles creates light by which to enjoy the evening, especially the Friday night meal. No … Continue reading
How to Make Iron-On Appliques with Fusible Adhesive Web | Video Tutorial
If you’re looking for a quick way to add decorative elements to your sewing and craft projects, iron-on appliques are a great option. This video demonstrates how to make appliques using adhesive web, also known as fusible web. You can watch the video above or on YouTube. This is the first video tutorial made especially … Continue reading
The Almighty Shin
Shalom! The Hebrew letter that starts the word shalom, shin, often appears in Jewish design, particularly on ritual objects like tefillin boxes and mezuzah scroll covers. When used in Judaica, it traditionally stands for one of the names of God, Shaddai, which means Almighty. Shalom, Shin! [Image: Detail from mezuzah scroll cover project in Sew … Continue reading
Almond Blossoms: A Jewish Symbol of Hope and Renewal
Almond trees blossom in late winter, in the middle of Israel’s rainy season. They’re the first trees to blossom in Israel, making them an ancient Jewish symbol of renewal, hope, and diligence. The almond tree appears a number of times in the Torah. When Jacob sends Benjamin with his other sons to Egypt for food, … Continue reading
Illuminated Jewish Manuscripts: Images to Feed the Soul
The images in illuminated Jewish manuscripts are like the embroidery and applique designs on hand-sewn Judaica; they decorate and inspire. And they feed the creative Jewish soul. Illuminated manuscripts are books that are decorated with images. The earliest examples we have are from the Middle Ages, when books were written by hand. These early illuminated … Continue reading
How Big Should a Tallit Be?
Whether you plan to make a large prayer shawl or a scarf-style tallit, these guidelines will help you determine the best size for you. Before making a final decision, you’ll probably want to try on a few prayer shawls to gauge how they look on you. If you don’t have access to any finished examples, … Continue reading
Synagogue Sews a Colorful Fabric Sanctuary: A Tent of Abraham and Sarah
The world doesn’t have enough sanctuaries; calm, protected spaces to pray, meditate, and enjoy a cup of tea with a friend. One creative Jewish community in New York’s mid-Hudson valley, the Beacon Hebrew Alliance, built such a sanctuary inside their synagogue earlier this year by enclosing part of a multi-purpose room with fabric. They call … Continue reading
2 Hanukkah Party Treats
Hanukkah is almost here! We’ll soon be lighting menorahs, eating latkes, and spinning dreidels. The Sew Jewish book includes instructions for making dreidel game party favors, little pouches to fill with a dreidel and pieces of sweet chocolate gelt. The book even includes printable dreidel game instructions to tuck into the pouches (versions for both … Continue reading
How to sew fleece appliques for this super snuggly aleph-bet cuddle blanket – Video tutorial
When the weather turns chilly it’s a great time to make a super snuggly aleph-bet cuddle blanket for a little one in your life. This second tutorial based on the Sew Jewish book features: For sewists new to applique: Detailed description and demonstration of techniques for getting beautifully finished machine appliques. For even experienced applique … Continue reading
Figs, Fig Leaves, and the Torah’s First Sewing Project
The autumn weather has me dreaming of figs. Warm, honey-glazed figs, specifically (the blog for Huppahs.com, Backyard Huppah, has a recipe). One of the simple pleasures of the season. Figs have long been a popular motif in Jewish design, often in combination with pomegranates and other members of the seven species — the seven fruits … Continue reading
How to Sew Wave Tucks for a Natilat Yadayim Hand Washing Towel
Make some waves! Learn how to sew wave tucks for a handmade hand towel in this first video tutorial based on a project in the Sew Jewish book: the al natilat yadayim hand towel. I designed this hand towel especially for the hand washing before eating bread and before eating the matzah during the Passover … Continue reading
The Dove: A Symbol of Our Deepest Hopes for Peace
The dove that carried an olive branch to Noah on the ark, signifying the end to the great flood, has become a symbol of peace and spiritual renewal that crosses religious boundaries. In the Torah, the dove often symbolizes the Jewish people, especially in imagery that expresses spiritual yearning or calls to God for protection. … Continue reading
How do you make a sewing project Jewish without using Hebrew phrases or Jewish symbols?
What makes a sewing project Jewish? I’m continually turning this question over in my mind. Hebrew phrases or Jewish symbols mark a project as Jewish, but what if you don’t use them? How do you give the object you’re designing a Jewish identity or imbue it with a Jewish idea? That was the question I … Continue reading
The answer to what will be the most popular question in synagogue tomorrow
Answer: Somewhere between 18″ and 24″. Question: How big is a cubit, anyway? This week’s Torah portion is the story of Noah and the ark. And as you’ll recall, when God gave Noah the instructions for building the ark, God specified the dimensions in cubits: 300 cubits long, 50 cubits wide, and 30 cubits tall. … Continue reading
Hi! I mean, Chai!
When chai tea first became popular in the United States, I was living in Kuwait (and we only got a Starbucks the last year I was there). So when I came back to New York one summer for a visit and ordered a cup of chai tea off a menu board, the look on the … Continue reading
Sew Jewish Book Just Released — Get Your Copy!
Get ready to make Jewish tradition your own! Update: Sew Jewish is now available in paperback as well as an instant download PDF. Wow–It’s been a long journey, and the Sew Jewish book has just been released! See all the details and get your copy today in the Sew Jewish Shop on Etsy. What’s Inside … Continue reading
Sew Jewish 