Instructions for your
Ahava Embroidery Kit

Welcome to your Ahava kit!
Here you’ll find the instructions to make your own רִקְמָה (embroidery) all by yourself!
Just don’t forget to make it with love – בְּאַהֲבָה

What’s Inside?

בַּד – Fabric: 2 layers of white fabric

חֻוטִּים – Threads: Different colors

מַחַט – Needle

חִישּׁוּק – Embroidery hoop: 15 cm (6 inch)

דֻּגְמָה – Pattern (printed on paper)

Step-by-Step צַעַד צַעַד

1. Stretch the Fabric on the Hoop

  • Place both layers of fabric together.
    Using two layers will make the בַּד (fabric) less see-through, so you won’t see the threads on the back side when you finish!

  • Put the double fabric over the inner circle of the hoop. Then place the outer circle on top and tighten the screw.

  • Gently pull the edges of the fabric all around until it’s stretched tight like a drum.

2. Transfer the Pattern

  • Place the paper with the design underneath the fabric. (Tip: Try to keep the design straight so that the screw of the hoop is at the top and centered. That way, if you want to hang your hoop as a decoration later, you won’t need to adjust the fabric again. Tip2: To keep the pattern from moving while you copy it, use a small piece of tape to secure the paper to the fabric, this will help the design stay perfectly in place.)

  • Using a pencil, lightly draw the design onto the fabric.
    (Tip: If needed, tape the fabric and paper to a window or use a light under it so it’s easier to see the print behind the fabric.)

 Important:
The pattern is not printed directly on the fabric on purpose!
This way, if you want to change something, remove a part, or add your own touch, you are free to do it.
And if you miss a line or stitch differently than the drawing, it doesn’t matter!
(If the design was printed, you would see black lines.)

Vimeo Video Embed with Sound

3. Prepare the Thread

  • Cut a thread about 40–50 cm long.
  • Separate 2 strands from the 6 strands of the thread. (Do not skip this part! Otherwise you might not have enought threads for the entire pattern. In this kit I only the Lazy-Daisy stitches should have 3-4 threads.)
  • Thread your needle using just 2 strands. (Tip: If the thread separates, you can gently lick the end of the thread to make it easier to thread the needle.)

Important:
The amount of each thread color matches what you need for the pattern. Some colors have longer threads, some shorter, you can change the colors if you want, just know that the thread amount matches the original design, so pay attntion to the length of the thread you have.

4. Follow the Stitch Instructions

Follow the stitch instructions for each part of the pattern, use this picture to see which stitch to use.
There’s no need to cut the thread after every section, simply continue to the next part that is in the same color. The threads won’t show through the fabric, especially if you used two layers.

Stitch Instructions

The instructions are hard to understand with just words – watch the videos to see how it’s done!

Satin Stitch

  • Bring the needle up from the back of the fabric.
  • Insert it across the shape you’re filling.
  • Make straight stitches side by side until the shape is filled.
Vimeo Video Embed – Square

Tip:
Divide the shape into smaller sections before stitching to help keep all your satin stitches going in the same direction for a clean, even look.

Leaf Stitch

  • Bring the needle up at the top of the leaf.
  • Insert it back down at the centre, around halfway of the leaf.
  • Bring the needle up again on the left side of the first stitch at the top of the leaf.
  • Bring it back to the halfway but this time a tiny bit lower.
  • Repeat the same on the other side, alternating the 2 sides.
Vimeo Video Embed with Sound

Back Stitch

  • Bring the needle up through the fabric.
  • Move forward and insert the needle down.
  • Come up a stitch length ahead and go back into the end of the previous stitch.
Vimeo Video Embed with Sound

Lazy Daisy Stitch

  • Bring the needle up at the bottom of the petal.
  • Insert it back into the same hole (or close to it) and leave a loop.
  • Bring the needle up at the tip of the petal and insert the needle into the loop.
  • Make a small stitch just above that loop to anchor the loop.
Vimeo Video Embed – Square

Tip:
For Lazy Daisy stitches, I would reccomand using 3–4 strands of thread to make it thicker.
In the example I used 2 strands for the leaves, but 4 strands for the purple flower.

5. Final Step: Finish the Back

Now that your embroidery is all done and you’re happy with how it looks  it’s time to tidy it up…

• Trim the excess fabric, leaving about 2–3 cm around the edge.

• Make a running stitch around the edge, then gently pull the thread to gather the fabric like a drawstring. Tie a knot to secure it. (Tip: You can glue a circle of felt or fabric on the back for an extra clean finish.

Vimeo Video Embed with Sound

Now your hoop is ready to hang or gift — with love

A little more love – עוֹד קַצַּת אַהֲבָה

In Hebrew, אַהֲבָה (ahava) means love.
In modern Hebrew, we don’t use the word like, we often use the to love (לֶאֱהֹב) for everything.
We don’t just like things – we love them!

You can say:
(Listen to the recordings while reading the sentences..)

Feminine:
אֲנִי אוֹהֶבֶת רִקְמָה. (Ani ohevet rikma.) – I love embroidery.
אֲנִי אוֹהֶבֶת פְּרָחִים. (Ani ohevet prachim.) – I love flowers.
אֲנִי אוֹהֶבֶת אַהֲבָה. (Ani ohevet ahava.) – I love love.

Masculine:
אֲנִי אוֹהֵב רִקְמָה. (Ani ohev rikma.) – I love embroidery.
אֲנִי אוֹהֵב פְּרָחִים. (Ani ohev prachim.) – I love flowers.
אֲנִי אוֹהֵב אַהֲבָה. (Ani ohev ahava.) – I love love.

Take your time.
Let every stitch be made with love בְּאַהֲבָה
and enjoy the simple happiness of creating something with your own hands!

בְּאַהֲבָה,
Hadar