Hinda M. Hands

Hinda M. Hands was a British writer on embroidery and church needlework, remembered for Church Needlework: A Manual of Practical Instruction, published in 1907. The book grew out of a series of articles on church embroidery and was written as a hands-on guide for making and understanding liturgical textiles.

Her writing is straightforward and useful, covering materials, stitches, design, and the making of items used in worship. What gives the book its lasting appeal is the way it blends technical advice with a strong respect for craftsmanship, showing both how the work was done and why it mattered.

The original edition also connects her with St. Margaret's, King's Lynn, and includes a photographic portrait, suggesting a real working presence in the world she wrote about. Today, her book remains of interest not only to embroiderers but also to readers curious about church art, domestic craft, and the history of skilled making.