By the time the Needlework in Scotland scheme was disbanded due to the war in 1939, the scheme had amassed a collection of some 900 items. In 1945, when the scheme was resurrected at the Needlework Development Scheme it continued to acquire textiles having over 5000 pieces by 1961 when the scheme was finally dissolved. Many of these were available as loan collections to schools and colleges.
Contains transparencies of examples of needlework. Transparencies have been marked with NDS reference numbers. Some transparencies are also marked with Embroidery and Woven textiles (EW) references.
Photographs of examples of British needlework.Most photos are inscribed with corresponding GB collection number and some include a brief description of the item pictured.
Cretan. Traditional design of scrolling pattern of animals, figures, birds and flowers. Dark blue silk embroidery on natural linen background, mostly in Cretan stitch.
British. Made in sections of cut-work embroidered linen and fillet lace, in a wide variety of designs. The monograph of the maker and her husband are included on the centre section. By Mrs. Peiniger, Southsea.
Indian. Type of work known as 'Bagh'. Rust hand-woven cotton ground almost entirely covered with formal geometirc shapes. Worked with darning stitch. Rich border of gold silk embroidery at each end. Note purple stripe to spoil symmetry to avoid insulting God by attempting to produce perfect work. From Punjab.
British. Exotic flower and bird motifs in bright colours chain stitched on linen. Several motifs recur in different colours. Influenced by imported painted cottons from Far East.
British. Applique curtain in shades of yellow shading to dark brown at the bottom. Art Deco design with pink and silver stripes. Patched together from irregular jigsaw shaped pieces.
Hungarian. Traditional peasant work, linen with drawn thread work on sleeves within borders of black cross-stitch embroidery and sequins. A few of the sequins applied to the sleeves still remain. Acquired from the Isabella home industry, Budapest.
Scottish. Long robe with richly embroidered central panel with side flounces running up over shoulders and round back of neck. Double flounced sleeves.
Scottish. Of coarser cotton than other 2 robes in collection (GB 1694 NDS/GB/28 and GB 1694 NDS/GB/29). Bottom of centre panel, and bodice, richly embroidered and incorporating lace fillings. Short flounced sleeves.
Chinese. Yellow silk robe, richly embroidered with coloured silks and gold thread. The symbolic decoration includes representations of the sun, moon, and stars only worn by Emperors. Also Imperial dragons, earth, sea, sky and sacred mountains.
Deep turquoise silk with black ends. Applique designs with satin stitch outline. Two stars at top and lily with butterfly at bottom. Possibly by Ann Macbeth.
British. Embroidered floral motifs, worked through cambric mounted underneath net, which was carefully cut away after outlines completed. Variety of interesting lace fillings.
British. Worked on blue and white decked gingham, tucked on bodice and hem to give areas of blue. Smocking at the sides. Embroidery in white, navy and yellow cotton. By Mrs. Harrison, West Hartlepool.
British. Of white linen with central circular motif in black and orange embroidery in a wide variety of stitches, so mat could have been made as a sampler. Framed.
British. 'Balkan' design worked on natural linen in red and blue cross-stitch. Cushion cover fastens with ties at the back. Worked by a sailor in Wormwood Scrubbs.
British. Showing 'Midhurst - the town in the midst of the woods', with roads, buildings and figures. Very fine stitchery on natural cotton. Framed but unglazed.
British. Pierced 'broderie anglaise' design of circles and flowers on lower half of sleeve and cuff. This item was damaged in the fire in GSA's Mackintosh Building on 23rd May 2014. Textile conservation was completed in 2019.
British. Fine lawn with pink ribbon threaded through white embroidered cuff. Possibly worked by French nuns in Jersey. This item was damaged in the fire in GSA's Mackintosh Building on 23rd May 2014. Textile conservation was completed in 2019.
Scottish. Floral corner decoration with over-elaborate initials which seem to have been added later. Deep vandyked edge. Lace fillings in pierced sections of design.
