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.

Code

S2

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Source note(s)

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Textiles

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Textiles

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Textiles

2499 Archival description results for Textiles

2499 results directly related Exclude narrower terms

Small knitted jumper

Small mottled grey knitted jumper with 'Fornton' stitched on the front in black letters. Right shoulder is decorated with four metallic buttons.

Not available / given

Step figurative textile design

Abstract disassembled human form painted in blue and red on white paper. Torso of form revealing the white of the paper with an ultramarine outline and sporting a sash like garment.

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

Step figurative textile design

Abstract forms painted in an arrange of colours and many different forms of paint. Layers of water soluble media have been layered over acrylic based media to create a crackled two-tone effect.

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

Stoddard-Templeton Carpet and Textile Collection

  • DC 077
  • Collection
  • c1840s-1960s

A collection of carpets and textiles manufactured by James Templeton & Co Ltd, A F Stoddard & Co Ltd or subsidiary companies (which in 1998 together became known as Stoddard International plc), dating from c1840s-1960s. Designs include pictorial scenes, art deco designs, and floral, chintz or medallion-centred designs. The collection also includes a mid-19th century Paisley shawl.

Stoddard International plc

Stole

German. On white silk with woven spot design. Embroidered with silk, black cotton and metal threads in cross, four-sided, running, back, fly, satin stitches, couching and French knots. Shades of brown and oragne with naive figures and sacred emblems. The stylised figures and text are similar to those on the Hungertuch (Hunger cloth) Lenten cloth also made by the Munster school in the late 1920s. This was inspired by the 1623 Hungertuch Lenten hangings in Telgte, near Munster.

*Not available / given

Table runner

White linen and embroidery possibly made by Daisy McGlashan. The design and technique show the influence of Jessie Newbery's teaching. The table runner has the number "1911" printed on one edge in ink which could refer to the year it was made. This item was damaged in the fire in GSA's Mackintosh Building on 23rd May 2014. Textile conservation was completed in 2019.

McGlashan, Daisy Agnes

Results 1801 to 1850 of 2499