Kirsten Miller has been a maker and crafter since she was a young child. She grows or forages for plant material to use for natural dyes, then transforms the fabrics into something cute and useful. Her hobbies have centered around thrifting, environmentalism, sewing or knitting, and appreciating nature
How did you find yourself on an artist’s path? Always there? Lightbulb moment? Dragged kicking and screaming? Evolving?
Crafting has been a part of my life as far back as I can remember! My mom taught me to knit and sew as a child and I continued knitting on and off throughout my childhood and teen years. In college, my creativity evolved into more experimental projects, like altering clothes and mending. I’d thrift vintage clothes and sew them into weird, new pieces. Working at a vintage shop deepened my knowledge of textiles and garment construction as well.
Crafting took a backseat during my early career and through grad school, but I always found time for small projects—knitting during classes or sewing something small in my studio apartment. Once I landed a stable, full-time job, I had more leisure time to dive deeper into my craft. I started experimenting with natural dyes and sewing more intricate patterns. Around that time, I also discovered Instagram, which honestly became a huge source of inspiration from the larger sewing community.
The pandemic was a turning point. With remote work and a large stash of thrifted fabrics, I finally had the time to fully immerse myself in crafting. I sewed clothes, made quilts, and experimented with natural dyes. I created an entire new wardrobe! Since then, crafting has basically become a necessity, woven into my daily life and identity.
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How often do you start a new project? Do you work actively on more than one project at a time?
I usually work on multiple projects at once. I like to keep a mobile project on hand, like knitting or hand-applique that I can work on in long meetings or at a craft club. I also like to have a sewing project ready to go—something cut out and waiting for when inspiration strikes.
I also have longer-term projects, like hand-quilting or larger repair projects. These are things I can pick up whenever I feel like it, with no timeline in mind. Whether it’s a quick, on-the-go project or a slower, ongoing endeavor, I always have something (or too many things) in the works.
Tell us more about the techniques and influences in your art.
Throughout my life, my main hobbies have centered around thrifting, environmentalism, sewing or knitting, and appreciating nature. Professionally, I work in the environmental field, and my positions have focused in areas like waste reduction, recycling, and environmental protection.
Over time, my art has naturally become a blend of my hobbies and studies. I thrift textiles, use natural dyes (mostly made from plants I grow or forage), and then transform those fabrics into something cute and functional through sewing.
Where do you find inspiration for your designs?
I grew up thrifting and have learned to appreciate well made, vintage textiles. Over the past decade, I’ve built a collection of old tablecloths, bedsheets, blankets, and more. A lot of my inspiration comes directly from the textiles themselves – like finding the perfect vintage blanket for a jacket, or finding a pattern that feels just right for an old tablecloth I’ve been holding onto. I love letting the character of the things I find shape the direction of my work.
Do you plan your work out ahead of time, or do you just dive in with your materials and start playing?
I’m definitely a bit of a perfectionist and I like to follow instructions. When I’m following a pattern—especially for sewing—I like to follow the rules completely and get every detail just right. However, I’ve learned to let go a bit when working with natural dyes – they are hard to perfect! So it’s a bit of a balance between leaning into structure and trying to let go, depending on the project. Finding a balance between structure and creativity is an ongoing part of my practice.
Do you have a dedicated space for creating? If so, what does it look like?
I feel so lucky to have a dedicated space for crafting. For the last decade, I’ve lived in shared houses, small apartments, or a tiny studio. I now live in a house with a dedicated space to create. I’m especially grateful to have such a supportive partner who’s helped bring my creative spaces to life.
One of my favorite spots is my little “dye studio,” which is basically a cozy corner in our basement. My partner repurposed the old stove that came with the house, installed a retro exhaust fan, and fixed the plumbing to the sink. It’s not fancy, but it’s great!
That said, I have always encouraged people to make space for creativity no matter where they live. I’ve sewn an entire wardrobe and grown a dye garden in a small apartment – there’s always a way to craft!
Which part of the design process is your favorite? Which part is a challenge for you?
My favorite part of the design process is being in the flow of creating—when I can just zone out and sew or work hands-on with the project.
The most challenging part for me is the decision-making leading up to that point. I can get stuck trying to choose the “right” color or fabric for a project. That’s when I really lean on my support system—my partner and close friends. I’ll reach out to them to run ideas by or just talk through what I’m thinking. It helps me get perspective and feel more confident in the choices I make.
What do you do to keep yourself motivated and interested in your work?
I get a lot of inspiration from the community around me. I have been organizing a monthly craft club in two cities near me for about 5 years. We bring our own crafts and show off our projects. I’m so grateful for all of the new and longstanding relationships that have developed in these groups!
I also find a lot of motivation through teaching. The students in my classes ask such thoughtful, curious questions that often make me think about my own techniques in new ways. I learn so much from them, and they help me grow, experiment, and expand my skills.
The sewing community on Instagram is also great – I use the platform to learn, ask questions, talk about projects, and see other people’s makes.
Where can people see your work?
Through my website: https://kirstenoona.weebly.com/
Instagram: Kirsten_oona
Interview posted June 2025
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