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The collection consists of the surviving papers of the Needlework Development Scheme and over 100 examples of needlework. Of these examples, 28 are from Great Britain and 54 are examples of non-British work including examples from Greece, India, Norway, Sweden, Italy, Switzerland, Turkey and Bosnia. Items include ecclesiatical, domestic, costume, clothing and modern embroideries, tea cosies, funeral pall, clothing, lace work, wall hangings, samplers, linen work and cushion covers.

The surviving papers include a complete inventory of 1012 items that were part of the Needlework Development Scheme prior to its dispersal in 1961. This provides information on the original numbering scheme used for the needlework examples and also provides information on the provenance of each item, although this is not necessarily the creator of the item but the person from whom the item was received, as well as a description of the item itself. There is an inventory of the parts of the collection received by the Glasgow School of Art, insurance details concerning the collection and the correspondence of the Needlework Development Scheme, 1931-1941.

This material may contain sensitive information about individuals that is protected by the Data Protection Act. Until this material has been checked for sensitive information, it will not be available for researchers. Once this Data Protection work is complete the collection will be open for access, however any sensitive information will be closed and inaccessible for 75 years from the date of creation.

A black hardcover book published by NDS on different embroidery stitches and techniques based on the contents of the Needlework Development Scheme embroidery bulletins (see NDS/PUB/5). Contains 144 pages.

Publications published by NDS on how to do various embroidered activities.
Contains copies of Bulletins 7B-28B, 29-39. All comprise of 2 copies other than 16B, 26B, and 38, which only contain 1 version.

Publication published by NDS on how to sew various textile activities.
Contains copies of Bulletins 1-6B, 8A, 9A, 13A-15A, 17A-28A. All comprise of 2 copies other than 8A, 13A, and 15A, which only contain one version.

With foreword by Ulla Kockum.

Booklet published by NDS outlining the origin and aim of the Needlework Development Scheme. Contains both black and white and colour illustrations.

A 'And So to Sew' branded packet containing a series of bulletins from the NDS publication series. Copies of Bulletins include: 1A-11A, 15A, 18A, 20A. 23A, 28A.

Includes correspondence received and sent relating to: finishing of work, transport and expenses of institutions involved in the scheme; exhibitions, purchasing and work and rotation of works between locations; recruitment of judges for an embroidery exhibition to be held by the Handicraft section of the Scottish Women's Rural Institutes at which the NDS awarded a prize; minutes of NDS permanent committee; statements of expenditure, Nov 1935-Nov 1936.

Statements of success of Needlework in Scotland scheme 1935-1941; minutes of NDS permanent committee 1939; correspondence between committee members rearding winding-up of the scheme 1939-1941; statements of NDS expenditure 1934-1938.

British. Black embroidery on white cotton of intertwining ribbon and flower design. Buttonhole and running stitches.

British. Stuart linen sampler with seven panels of needlepoint lace motifs showing Italian influence. Geometric 'reticella' motifs and 'punto in aria' figures possibly from Venetian pattern-books. Very good condition.

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.

British. Worked on fine cotton in herringbone stitch on the back giving shadow effect on the front of the fabric. Originally an Indian technique.

British. Showing drawn-thread work effects and knotted stitches. Framed.

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.

Includes transparencies, proofs and photographs of needlework from the NDS British and 'Foreign' (non-British) collections.

Cushion embroidered with "festival of Britain 1951".

Contains publications and press cuttings relating to embroidery, needlework and the NDS.

54 examples of non-British work including examples from Greece, India, Norway, Sweden, Italy, Switzerland, Turkey and Bosnia.

From Berlin, Germany. Worked in white on rust silk. Charming drawing of foal. Used to be framed.

German. Worked in pattern darning on white net depicting figure of saint surrounded by animals, birds, fish and flowers. By Kate Louise Rosenstock, Leipzig, Framed.

Swedish. Pale blue linen with design of wheels and stars in white cotton and linen yarns. Designed by Greta hammarquist. Nordiska Industri A. B.

Cypriot. A type of needlemade lace worked in varieties of buttonhole stitch which has been made since the Venetian occupation of Cyprus in the 15th and 16th centuries. This rather stiff lace, produced mainly for tourists, was derived from Italian reticella lace. Design of figures dancing to Pan's pipes.

Greek. Embroidered in coloured silks and metal thread. Symmetrical floral design with stylised roses and carnations etc.

Greek. On coarse linen embroidered in cross-stitch in grey and pink thick cotton yarn. Stylised repeating leaf motif.

Armenian. Traditional towel with formal floral decoration in silk and metal thread embroidery at each end. Hand woven cotton background.

Indian. Coloured silk on brown woollen background. Kashmir cone design. Not very high quality nor in good condition.

Norwegian. Linen runner with border decorated with traditional design in drawn-thread work and satin stitch. Geometric design. Double row of buttonholed scalloped picots.

Swiss. Natural linen with peacock design from the Grisons, in black cross stitch. Black hand made cord along the seam joining sides. Removable quilted lining decorated with black stars.

Turkish. Decorated at each end with formalised repeating tree design in green and yellow silks and metal threads, on fine cotton.

Chinese. Extremely fine satin stitched coloured silks on ivory satin, edged with blue. Charming figures, pagodas and flowers.

71 textiles originating from Great Britain.

British. Machine embroidered with design of horse and flowers in black, grey and pink on white silk. Back embroidered with spots. Quilted lining. By Rebecca Crompton.

British. Worked in machine embroidery in soft colours on natural linen. Design of waves with ships and weather house. A label reads 'Embroidered entirely on an ordinary domestic sewing machine 1947'. Designed by Frances Beal. Work by Dorothy Benson.

British. Small round mat with machine embroidery and art work with hand embroidered fillings. Double layers of organdie used in places. By Lilian Willey, Bromley.

British. Blue and white checked gingham with smocked bodice and embroidered hem. The smocking and embroidery exploit the check design already existing. Buttons on shoulders. By Margaret Boyd, Edinburgh.

British. Meandering all-over design of leafy stems and flower heads. Chain stitch in blues, greens and pinks. Mounted in roll.

British. Plaited green silk belt with silver fastening. Purse and pincushion are tapestry woven in silks and metal thread, and are attached to belt with plaited cords. Purse has drawstring fastening finished with woven tassels made over wooden beads. Purse has floral design and pincushion features a small bird.

British. Examples of work produced throughout 19th century.

Includes correspondence received and sent relating to: the acquisition of textile specimens; J & P Coats Ltd regarding funding of the Scheme; financing the scheme and payment of needlework teachers; meetings concerning the Needlework Development in Scotland scheme between the Scottish Art colleges; minutes for meetings of the NDS permanent committee; draft statement of aims of the NDS and format of the scheme.

Includes correspondence received and sent relating to: committee meetings; personnel; J & P Coats Ltd regarding finance; J & P Coats Ltd regarding the acquisition of foreign works; Edinburgh College of Art regarding marking and numbering of items within the collection; Minutes of the NDS permanent committee; Statements of expenditure on the collection; Embroidery exhibition of February 1935.

A small book of 100 different embroidery stitiches with text and illustrations.

Correspondence between Glasgow School of Art and University of Dundee Museum Collections regarding Needlework Development Scheme 1994-1995; List of items/exhibits held by the four Scottish Art colleges/schools 1947; Catalogue of NDS items held by Glasgow School of Art [1962]; Correspondence and estimates of insurance for the Glasgow School of Art NDS holdings 1966; Distribution of Needlework Development Scheme Embroideries, n.d.

Dutch (Holland). Large hanging showing angels making music. Applique and gold thread work. Angels dressed in cloth-of-gold and silver. This hanging was made in 1937 and won the Grand-Prix at the World Exposition of that year in Paris.

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.