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

2499 Archival description results for Textiles

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Cream Curtain

Cream pleated top curtain with an embroidered design of flowers and leaves. This item was damaged in the fire in GSA's Mackintosh Building on 23rd May 2014. Textile conservation was completed in 2019.

*Not available / given

'Cross Stitch' fold-out booklet

Small blue card folder with the handwritten label 'Cross Stitch'. It contains a handwritten explanation of the technique and materials, the pattern design for a peacock in pen and ink on graph paper, and the worked textile in blue thread on white cloth.

Mackie, Mary

Cupid and Psyche

This item was lost in the fire in The Mackintosh Building at The Glasgow School of Art on 23rd May 2014. Composition of embroidered fruit and flowers (as triptych). In original frame. Design made for Longcroft, Helensburgh.

Hamilton, Margaret

Curtains

DC 068/7/6/1-2: Set of curtains designed by Sylvia Chalmers done in 'Escape I' the Sun' design which features a man in a red hammock and a woman on a swing.

Chalmers, Sylvia

Curtains

Curtains

One of a set of two curtains designed by Sylvia Chalmers made in 'Escape I' the Sun' design which features a man in a red hammock and a woman on a swing.

Chalmers, Sylvia

Curtains

Curtains

One of a set of two curtains designed by Sylvia Chalmers made in 'Escape I' the Sun' design which features a man in a red hammock and a woman on a swing.

Chalmers, Sylvia

Cushion

Cushion

Scottish. Commemorating the Festival of Britain. Design suggests a firework display. In white and coloured embroidery on blue background. Names of designer, Robert Stewart and embroiderer, Kathleen Whyte in small motif on the back.

Stewart, Robert

Cushion cover

Scottish. Crewel work on natural linen. Basket of flowers motif, worked predominently in shades of green, orange and pink. Woollen fringe. Has label from G.S.A. Needlework Exhibition of 1916. Designed by Mrs. Newbery (Jessie Newbery). Worked by Mrs. Rowat (her aunt), Glasgow.

Newbery, Jessie Wylie

Cushion cover

Square cushion cover with simple wreath, trellis, Glasgow style roses and leaves, in shades of pale green, cream and pink. Includes chain, satin and cretan stiching, French knots and couching.

Not available / given

Degree Show banners

Degree Show banners

Unhemmed printed cotton banner for GSA Degree Show 2001. Digital image of mouth and section of face in pink and purple. Text in black and pink. List of degree show sponsors: Campari, Beat 106 Non-stop, Gordon Yuill and Company. Also has logo of printing company, Stork Digital Print and job number.

Centre for Advanced Textiles

Degree Show banners

Degree Show banners

Unhemmed printed cotton banner for GSA Degree Show 2001. Digital image of mouth and section of face in pink and purple. Text in black and pink. List of degree show sponsors: Campari, Beat 106 Non-stop, Gordon Yuill and Company. Also has logo of printing company, Stork Digital Print and job number.

Centre for Advanced Textiles

Degree Show banners

Degree Show banners

Unhemmed printed cotton banner for GSA Degree Show 2001. Digital image of mouth and section of face in pink and purple. Text in black and pink. List of degree show sponsors: Campari, Beat 106 Non-stop, Gordon Yuill and Company. Also has logo of printing company, Stork Digital Print and job number, and the logo of Glasgow School of Art Centre for Advanced Textiles.

Centre for Advanced Textiles

Design for a pulpit-fall

Design for a pulpit-fall

Design for embroidered pulpit-fall, 'Be Ye Doers of the word not hearers only.' The words of the design are taken from James, chapter 1, verse 22 in the New Testament. Inscribed upper right: Design for a pulpit fall/J.R. Newbery Centre: "Be Ye Doers of the world not hearers only".

Newbery, Jessie Wylie

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