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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.

Includes 3 adverts and order forms for the NDS bulletin publications. Each of the adverts includes short synopses of the new issue and other publications under the NDS such as some of their books.

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.

The publications of the Needlework Development Scheme were central to its aims. The two bulletins, "And So to Sew" and "And So to Embroider" published three times a year, were issued free until 1958 until demand led to a charge being levied for orders of over 24 copies. At its height in the 1950s, the scheme spent the current equivalent (2003) of £1 million printing the bulletin and distributing it primarily to school girls as well as other interested parties. Other publications featured accounts of the Scheme's development along with images of selected needleworks or focused on particular themes within the collection, such as Swedish needlework.

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.