Teresa Fiehn Millies is a narrative fiber artist and author based in Aurora, Illinois. Her work explores themes of meaning and transformation inherent in everyday life. Along with sewing she is a writer and lifelong habitual journaler.
Teresa is the author of The Quilter’s Inspiration Deck (C&T Publishing). Teresa’s quilts have been exhibited at AQS QuiltWeek in Paducah 2023, Festival of Quilts 2026, exhibited and sold at QuiltCon 2024. She will lecture at The Great Wisconsin Quilt Show in 2026 and teach a workshop at QuiltCon 2027.
Photo By Kaylan Buteyn Artist Statement
I make work that I feel driven to make. I work in whatever feels interesting at the time. My strongest pulls are towards hand stitching, cyanotype blue, and using creative prompts.
I quilt because there are so many techniques to explore and I use primarily second hard materials because I feel a depth to them that is missing in brand new fabric. And it’s a huge plus if can keep it out of the ocean for a while.
I hand stitch because it is meditative and restorative. I practice self inquiry and acceptance in my work, and in my head, while making the work. There is always a air of the esoteric or collective in the studio.
Words and color feel the same to me so I try to convey information and emotions through both. I want my quilts to feel both familiar and dissonant, touching something you (or I) didn’t know we knew.
Teaching Philosophy
When teaching my primary goal is to help people let go of the negative stories they have about themselves. I invite students to play and uncover their own voice in the process. My role is not to be a technical expert in the room, while I help them recognize their personal process and style in a supported and low pressure enviroment.
Patchwerk Studio
Patchwerk is my a micro indie sewing and quilting studio specializing in just for fun projects. We value intuitive creativity, experimentation, and whimsy over strict rules and perfection.
Fuck around and figure it out!
