Bethlehem - Khaddameh Bethlehem - Khaddameh, front

This dress, called khaddameh, was made for daily use in Bethlehem. The main differences between this dress and the malak lay in the fabric and embroidery. While the malak is made of silk and linen striped fabric specific to Bethlehem, the khaddameh uses plain linen without stripes. Similarly, the malak is embroidered on the chest panel and sides with an ornate couching stitch, while the khaddemeh’s chest panel is embroidered with the simpler and less costly cross stitch. The sleeves of this dress are done in the kumm ‘irdan style in which the sleeves are long, pointed, and triangular. The wearer of this dress would tie the two sleeves behind her back while working to make movement easier.