Check Out Carrie Miller’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Carrie Miller.

Thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’m a textile artist, designer, and educator specializing in botanical dyes and weaving.

My working process and materials curiosity are the products of what I call my, “untamed childhood.” I grew up on a dairy farm in the Northwoods of Minnesota. The farm life was visceral. I was constantly exposed to new life, death, and whatever could be accomplished in between.

Adventures in DIY archaeology and horseback riding were intermingled with whole days hunkered down behind my sewing machine. The rhythm of this lifestyle is ingrained in me and it feeds my desire to create, to learn, to play, and to manifest a grand plan.

I left the farm at 18 and lived in as many different places as I could. I studied natural dyes, sewing, crochet and so much more with generous artisans in every place I traveled to before attending the Evergreen State College in Washington. My interests had always fluctuated between textile art and fashion design so I endeavored to learn both. After graduating, I moved to the Santa Cruz area of California where I taught at an art studio for a couple of years before landing in Colorado to begin my graduate studies. After living all over, I was surprised to fall in love with Colorado and I had to stay. My MFA studies led me to a position at a loom and spinning wheel manufacturer in Boulder where I met my partner. Meanwhile, I continued to create art and design work on the side, and in 2022, I decided to focus on it.

My micro-production of textiles and dyes is stationed at my home studio. The outdoor dye work and indoor sewing and weaving keep me on my toes! The techniques I use most include petal printing, immersion dyeing, and ikat weaving. I only work with natural fabrics such as silk and hemp. This year, I’ve worked to reduce my production footprint by choosing more efficient rinsing methods and using reclaimed water. Some of the most rewarding work I do is teaching. I love to pass the knowledge I’ve learned on to others just like so many artisans and professors did for me over the years.

Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Self-promotion has been challenging for me.

I understand the theory of how to do it, but I like my work to be the focus so I always have to push myself to show up in a personal way. I think I’ll always be a little shy this way, but I have learned to go for it!

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My specialty is botanical dyes. The techniques I use most include petal printing, immersion dyeing, and ikat weaving. I only work with natural fabrics such as silk and hemp. This year, I’ve worked to reduce my production footprint by choosing more efficient rinsing methods and using reclaimed water.

Some of the most rewarding work I do is teaching. I love to pass the knowledge I’ve learned on to others just like so many artisans and professors did for me over the years.

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
As a young person, I was an absolute wild child. Growing up in a rural area had so many perks, but I was hungry to know what the world was all about.

I wanted to see new things, taste new foods, and travel. I was always creating but I also loved hiking and camping. Creativity and adventure ruled my world.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://carrie-miller.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cmiller_luxury/

Image Credits
Allyssa Mueller, Sarah Halas, and Shondia Houtzer