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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A08 Collections Mens and Womens

CD containing garment images and details from Menswear and Womenswear collections of the Autumn 2008 season. CD is labelled 'A08 Collections Mens Womens'. Images are arranged by brand and location of show (London, New York, Milan, Paris).

Shaw, Wallace

Abstract textile design

Abstract forms are painted onto a pink ink painted surface. A fibrous semi-transparent material is stitched onto the surface of the paper outlining the forms in purple thread. Some pieces of the tracing paper and material have been deducted in the shape of the figures to reveal the painted background. Similar in material, style and medium to DC 089/1/2/4/45

Some of this material was damaged in the fire in GSA's Mackintosh Building on 23rd May 2014. Paper conservation took place in 2018. Textile conservation was completed in 2019.

Taylor, Fraser

Abstract textile design

Abstract forms are painted onto a sheet of tracing paper and adhered to a pink ink painted surface. A fibrous semi-transparent material is stitched onto the surface of the paper outlining the forms in blue thread. Some pieces of the tracing paper and material have been deducted in the shape of the figures to reveal the painted ground.

Some of this material was damaged in the fire in GSA's Mackintosh Building on 23rd May 2014. Paper conservation took place in 2018. Textile conservation was completed in 2019.

Taylor, Fraser

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Menswear photo from file of photographs for men's and women's clothing collections. It is not known which brand the designs are attributed to.

Not available / given

Album of menswear fashion show photographs

Album containing 9 pages of fashion show photographs from a menswear collection. Front pocket also contains 12 loose photographs. The photos are undated and it is not known which brand the designs are attributed to.

Shaw, Wallace

Allan Ramsay

Costume doll: Allan (possibly Alan) Ramsay, 1713-1784, portrait painter and son of a poet (or 18th Century Gentleman).

Scott, Anne

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