for a week i have had this idea in my head.
and in yellow of all colors?
sometimes i just become obsessed with an idea,
i can't sleep thinking about the finished concept.
last night i began working on the skirt and ruffles that were obsessing my thoughts...
i started with a muslin base for the skirt
(have i mentioned i LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my serger)
anyway, i digress.
then layer after ruffly layer the skirt began to take shape.
it is full and romantic and girly and i just love it.
like a fairy skirt.
coupled with a yellow tank and a small off white cardigan...so sweet!
now, where to wear it?
maybe i will save it for inspired.
perfect for such an artsy, creative, fun and social weekend dont ya think?
i am going to work on some canvases today now that i purged the skirt from my head.
also started taking preorders in the shop for my new CHA releases with unity and prima. should have them ready to ship by feb 15.
if you want to be the first to know about upcoming events, product releases and monthly discounts in the shop, sign up for my newsletter today.
So sweet! Would be adorable as an apron too! ; )
Posted by: Deanna | January 31, 2010 at 11:20 AM
VERY CUTE!
Posted by: angie | January 31, 2010 at 11:22 AM
so stinkin cute!
Posted by: homegrownhospitality | January 31, 2010 at 11:24 AM
Very cute Donna. I'd love to see it on you and see how it drapes. Love the colors. Makes me long for Spring!
Posted by: Dawn Morgan | January 31, 2010 at 11:46 AM
Love it! I'm not crazy about yellow, but I think it's the perfect color for this skirt! Makes me wish it was springtime already...
Posted by: Christy | January 31, 2010 at 11:53 AM
Love the skirts and all the canvas you have been working on lately. You should definitely wear it to Inspired and you should make a wood bracelet with the Hambly rub ons to accent!
Posted by: Teresa Kepler | January 31, 2010 at 12:07 PM
Ok so for us that are new to sewing I would LOVE a tutorial for your cute skirts!
Posted by: Nicole | January 31, 2010 at 12:12 PM
I love it! I agree...I think you should try it on so we can see how it looks on.
Posted by: Shannon R. | January 31, 2010 at 12:23 PM
Beautiful! Love the colors (yellow is my favorite color!!!)
I have a Serger that was my Grandmother's but for some reason it scares me and I've never even tried it. Kind of weird but true. I'm leaning closer and closer to unearthing it and getting it working...we'll see.
Posted by: Katherine M | January 31, 2010 at 12:23 PM
Lovely
Posted by: Sue | January 31, 2010 at 01:49 PM
Another adorable skirt! I didn't think you could get much cuter than the one you wore at CHA, but I really LOVE the sunny yellows and oranges here.
Posted by: Lora Oliver | January 31, 2010 at 02:38 PM
OH I love it!!! wish I was this crafty!
Posted by: Kim | January 31, 2010 at 02:47 PM
I love it! Those are some bright 'n cheery prints! I'm kinda obsessed with ruffles, too...
Posted by: ClassiclyAmber | January 31, 2010 at 02:56 PM
I think you should make one for your Inspired Instructors!!! wink wink ;)
xoxo,
A
Posted by: Angela Bannatyne | January 31, 2010 at 05:57 PM
Oooh! I love it! Yellow is my new favorite color and this skirt is a perfect icky-Winter-blues-pick-me-up! :)
Posted by: Jonna | January 31, 2010 at 07:13 PM
Very cute skirt! Waiting on payday to shop for the new CHA items!!!
Posted by: Angie A. | January 31, 2010 at 08:04 PM
loves it!
Posted by: Rachel Carlson | January 31, 2010 at 08:18 PM
Beautiful! Another job well done Donna!
Posted by: Laura S. | January 31, 2010 at 08:38 PM
A.D.O.R.A.B.L.E.!!!!! Love it!
Couple questions... what's a serger vs. a sewing machine? And.. do you use a ruffle foot or do the ruffles by hand with a loose stitch?
Just curious!
Smiles,
Jen
Posted by: jennifer | January 31, 2010 at 11:28 PM
Gorgeous job. Love the ruffles.
Posted by: Shay | February 01, 2010 at 01:59 AM
Love it! Would love to see it modeled.
Posted by: Jennifer | February 01, 2010 at 02:28 AM
Wow, that's gorgeous!
Posted by: Rachel Mackin | February 01, 2010 at 03:25 AM
This skirt is really, really great! Who makes that script fabric? I just love it....
Posted by: Jennifer | February 01, 2010 at 08:32 AM
this is so cute, nearly tempts me to try something similar but then I remember that a) I'm not on good terms with my machine and, b) the ruffles would remind me that I'm not on good terms with the size of my butt! One question I have is what surface are you ironing on?
Posted by: Emily | February 01, 2010 at 11:09 AM
Wow! Love the skirt!
Posted by: Betheroo | February 01, 2010 at 11:55 AM
Do you even need a sewing machine when you have a serger? If you do still use your sewing machine how much?
Thanks.
Liz
Posted by: Liz | February 01, 2010 at 11:56 AM
absolutely love it!!!!!
Posted by: kim | February 01, 2010 at 12:01 PM
hi emily!
i actually have a portable ironing board, but i think you might mean my cutting mat?
that is a must have for me...i got it custom cut to my table top here http://www.cutting-mat.com/proddetail.asp?prod=151
donna downey
donnadowney.com
join the Campaign for Creativity
Posted by: donna downey | February 01, 2010 at 12:18 PM
i have no idea who makes the fabric and if i did i would buy a bolt more!
i think i bought it at hancocks and i bought the 4 yards that were left on the bolt. i am down to my last yard, panic, lol!
donna downey
donnadowney.com
join the Campaign for Creativity
Posted by: donna downey | February 01, 2010 at 12:23 PM
Girl you make me sick!! I wanna sew like that lol.
That would make such a cute bag too!!!
Posted by: Jenni G. | February 01, 2010 at 03:30 PM
I want it!
Posted by: Jennifer | February 01, 2010 at 04:06 PM
Where can I buy the skirt?! Love it!
Posted by: Wendy Merrill | February 01, 2010 at 08:38 PM
I looooooove this!!!
Posted by: Ally White | February 01, 2010 at 10:29 PM
And thus is born the Donna Downey line of clothes... :D It is absolutely adorable. So totally would wear it...
Posted by: Maria | February 01, 2010 at 10:30 PM
Beautiful skirt and I LOVE yellow :) Maybe you can wear it on Friday for the Pressed for Success class that I am taking at Scrapbooks 'n Stuff in Miami... I can't wait!!! Feeling giddy... LOL
Posted by: Vanessa M Santamaria | February 01, 2010 at 11:15 PM
Love the fabrics - who are the designers? Yours?
Posted by: Stacey Meredith | February 02, 2010 at 05:43 PM
Just adorable and I think you should wear this skirt when you come to Brazil, the land of bright yellow sun! How about that? Hugs and see ya in Curitiba!
Posted by: julia cotrim | February 03, 2010 at 07:25 AM
Mom (otherwise known as Julia) stop rubbing it in... So you're going to go to Donna Downey's class in Curitiba... I mean... come on! Who cares??? (Just kidding). Donna... you are going to love my Mom. She is the bomb on wheels!!! Just the sweetest person EVER. And I wish I could be there with her but I can't so I'm just a little green (although it is a very lovely shade of green) with envy... :D
Posted by: Maria Rodrigues Pereira | February 03, 2010 at 04:56 PM
donna~
do you have a pattern available to buy for these absolutely adorable skirt? i LOVE ruffles!!!
Posted by: terri | February 04, 2010 at 08:30 AM
Great skirt!! Could you do a tutorial on how to attach the ruffles with the serger? I have one but I don't use it enough to sew. Much appreciated. ;-)
Posted by: sheabella | February 09, 2010 at 03:40 PM
I love this girly skirt with all the layers of ruffles. I really like reading about your inspiration and how you get obsessed with an idea,
Posted by: susanhouseman@insightbb.com | March 10, 2010 at 09:13 AM