The Glasgow Technical College (Weaving Branch) was founded in 1877. It was located on Well Street in Calton, an area of Glasgow known for weaving since the 18th century. In 1896, the College changed its name to the Incorporated Weaving, Dyeing and Printing College of Glasgow.

In 1908, the College was integrated into the Glasgow and West of Scotland Technical College (a predecessor of Strathclyde University) and formed a new Weaving Department.

After this merger, the Weaving Department got new equipment, including 40 power looms and 16 hand looms. The department also had a well-equipped textile testing laboratory and a museum with a large collection of samples of raw materials and finished fabrics. The weaving students were also allowed to “avail themselves of the facilities offered by the other departments of the College, particularly Engineering and Chemistry”. The chemistry facilities included new dyeing, bleaching, and printing laboratories.

The weaving course of instruction lasted three years. It included “experimental pattern designing and weaving on hand loom, power loom, and domestic loom; yarn and cloth testing; and power loom tuning”.

The new Weaving Department also benefited from a scheme of cooperation with Glasgow School of Art. In 1909, the School of Art held classes specifically for weaving students, including an evening class on textile design, and a daytime class on colour. In return, the Weaving Department taught a course on applying design to textiles for art students.

The photograph shows an example of the beautifully woven diploma certificate awarded to students at the Weaving College.

Archives reference: OG 25 Diploma certificate awarded to students of the Incorporated Weaving, Dyeing and Printing College of Glasgow