Textiles

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Since its opening in 1845, The Glasgow School of Art has been connected to textile design and production.

During the 19th and early 20th centuries the School aimed to train local designers to produce patterns for the textile industry in Glasgow and the West of Scotland. In the 1890s, the School's embroidery department was established and soon became famous for the Glasgow Style pieces its staff and students produced (examples of such work are housed in the School's collections).

Jessie Newbery (1864-1948), the first head of this department, encouraged her students to study historical designs and textiles in order to understand different embroidery techniques and to use these items as a source of inspiration for the development of new original work. This teaching ethos continued to be used in the 20th century during which time the School also developed courses in textile printing, weave and knit.

A large number of the items in the School's collection are related to The Needlework Development Scheme (1934-1962). This scheme, sponsored by J & P Coats of Paisley, collected examples of embroidery from a variety of geographical and historical areas and made them available for use by educational institutions and embroidery groups. The scheme aimed to encouraging greater interest in needlework, and to improve the standard of embroidery techniques and designs. When the scheme ended, its collections were disseminated to a variety of organisations. The Glasgow School of Art received 125 items dating from 1652-1961 and originating from Britain, Europe and Asia.

Amongst other items of note in the School's collections are weave sample books from Donald Brothers Ltd, Dundee and examples of work by Kath Whyte (1909-1996), GSA's former Head of Embroidery, and her students.

Related publications:

Liz Arthur, Textile Treasures at the Glasgow School of Art;

Liz Arthur, The Unbroken Thread: A Century of Embroidery at Glasgow School of Art;

Thomasina Beck, Glasgow Girls: Women in Art and Design 1880-1920;

Kathleen Whyte, Design in Embroidery;

R.Oddy. Embroideries from Needlework development scheme;

J. Taylor, The Glasgow School of Embroidery in 'The Studio';

Needlework development scheme, Contemporary Embroideries;

Margaret Swanson, Needlecraft in School;

Margaret Swanson; Needle craft for Older Girls;

Margaret Swanson, Needle craft and Psychology;

Margaret Swanson and Ann Macbeth, Educational Needle craft.

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S2

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Textiles

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Textiles

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Textiles

2574 Archival description results for Textiles

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Highland Girl wearing Araid Plaid

Costume doll: Highland Girl wearing Araid Plaid (or Fish Wife), she came to be painted by Alan Ramsay aid to McLeod of McLeod. In those days girls did not wear tartan, they wore stripes instead.

Scott, Anne

Hebedo Cloth

Danish. Traditional work on natural linen incorporating drawn thread work and embroidery in satin-stitch. Relies for its effect on the changes of texture of the embroidery . Design based on stylised flower and plant forms.

*Not available / given

"Happy Birthday" apron

"Happy Birthday" apron

Child's apron featuring a number of different animals gathered around a birthday cake with "Happy Birthday" written across it. Printed in yellow, orange, brown, and green on a red background.

Chalmers, Sylvia

"Happy Birthday" apron

"Happy Birthday" apron

Child's apron featuring a number of different animals gathered around a birthday cake with "Happy Birthday" written across it. Printed in yellow, white, green, and grey on a blue background.

Chalmers, Sylvia

Hanging

Large double-faced hanging in twill weave with a design of vertical stripes in the upper half and aquarium fish behind a grid in the lower half. Woven in cream-coloured thread with a glittering effect, and black threads to create the design. It also has grommets for hanging.

*Not available / given

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