Middle Eastern Filästin (Palestine) - äl-Mäcdäl (al Majdal) fabric Thobe Dress

äl-Mäcdäl (al Majdal) was a vibrant town on the Mediterranean coast of Filästin (Palestine), known for its excellent weavers. Today, it is known by its Israeli name: Äşkelon (Ashkelon). Majdalawi fabric is considered to be one of the oldest types of fabrics from the Middle East, along with Damask Silk and Egyptian Cotton. Majdalawi weaving is traditionally woven by a male weaver on a single treadle loom. It was traditionally sold in eight-meter pieces, or the length required to produce a single Palestinian thobe dress. The dresses made from it were sewn with silk and reeds, handrolled on a type of cashmere fabric. Their colors were said to be very consistent, making it a highly desirable dress.