SEWING BOX & DONNA

Donna’s great grandad had a draper’s shop in Portsoy in north east Scotland, the box, which originally would have held cotton yarn, was given to his daughter. Living in wartime she had learnt to be frugal, finding a use for everything. She filled the box with precious bits and bobs – rickrack, little envelopes of lace cuttings, Christmas tree decorations and old thread. When Donna was given the box by her grandmother it was still full. Her grandmother was responsible for teaching her to draw and paint, she was Donna’s biggest inspiration, she was uncommonly open-minded and keen to help anyone. Long before Donna even knew what a designer was her grandmother had framed her drawings and sold them at local craft fairs. Donna now works as a textile designer, the box lives in her studio.

04 Jun 2011