Our Story

Sewing is a passion and skill Ashley learned from her mother, Beth Donell. She started around the age of five with her first project being a tweety bird pillow. By the time she was seven years old she made her first garment and by eight she entered her first sewing competition. Following her passion, she went to the University of Arkansas majoring in Fashion Design. Soon after graduating she starting teaching a sewing course at the U of A while pursuing her Masters degree. During this time, she learned how much of a need there was in the community for a skilled tailor, seamstress and designer. Upon finishing her Masters, she started creating samples for local businesses and re-designing wedding gowns. Material Concepts was born. The first wedding gown she designed and created was her own in 2012. In loving memory of her mother, Ashley has taken her passion and skill to create a business.

Material Concepts now has a team of four skilled designers ready to help our clients with any sewing need. While designing is our passion, we are skilled tailors and seamstresses. We work with all types of materials, styles and garments. Specializing in formal wear, we can design a custom wedding gown, re-design a mother’s gown from the 80s or tailor the groom’s suit.