Ben Millett Studio, 900 Keo Way, Studio 239, Des Moines, IA (2026)

01/08/2025

In light of yesterday's changes to Meta's Community Standards, I'm deleting my Facebook account at the end of the week. This action impacts both this page and my personal profile.

If you want to find me elsewhere:
email: [email protected]
blog (with RSS): https://benmillett.us/blog
newsletter: https://benmillett.us/notes

01/07/2025

“Keep it secret, keep it safe” is kind of what I’m doing with this project. I have multiple plans for this and am still working through how much to share when. For now: this hand quilting on longarm quilted “loose leaf paper” draws inspiration from the Book of Kells, in terms of presentation and storytelling. I plan on four more pages of text and at least one illustrated/illuminated page. Right now there’s just text, but color and doodles are coming soon.

(some of the supplies used are from and )

01/01/2025

Photo dump from our visit to Solvang/Santa Ynez.

1. Nojoqui Falls Park
2. La Purisima Mission, Lompoc
3. Pismo Beach
4. Madonna Inn, Portugal room, San Luis Obispo
5. Julie Alpert's exhibit 'Strange Magic', San Luis Obispo Museum of Art
6. Patio at Azul Cocina Artesanal & Cantina, Santa Barbara
7. Signage at Santa Barbara Museum of Art
8. California Poppy at Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
9. Andrew Murray Vineyards, Los Olivos
10. Gaviota Beach

12/17/2024

In 2024 I created a smaller body of work (selection shown here) as my own body required extra attention (pictured here two weeks after chemo ended). Additionally, my participation in the year-long class Quiltmaking with .parkes contributed in small and large ways to what I made, why I made it, and what parts of my practice will get my time moving forward.

Facets of Pride, 24" × 40"
Leaves of Lothlorien 2 (Mint), 9" × 9"
JOANN × Marvel Pride Laptop Bag, 14" × 8" × 1"
Ode to Ellsworth -1, 16" × 20"
Ode to Ellsworth 2, 14" × 16"
Ombré Improv 1 (Teal Peach), 22" × 24"
It's Electric!, 24" × 30"
Lokean Variant 616, 45" × 44"

12/14/2024

Detail of “If I Had Said Yes, Variant 9”.
This view includes sections of four blocks.

12/13/2024

A tip I’m sharing for December’s Aurifil Artisan challenge is how I’m now storing my threads.

I primarily use a cone of 2021 in 50 wt for piecing, so the few other 50 wt colors on spools are in a small tub in a drawer by my machine (not pictured). This same tub had held all my various thread colors and weights, and for years I resisted getting thread racks. This year my collection reached a quantity and variety that necessitated a change. I now have my non-50 weight threads on a rack. This helps me to see what I have, especially when the labels are visible from the top. My most-used colors of 12 wt are across the top three rows, with all additional 12 wt spools organized by color and spool size. Any other spools of various non-50 weights are grouped in the last rows of the rack. For longarm quilting, I keep Forty-3 and 50 wt on a separate rack made for cones, next to the longarm and its bobbin winder.

12/09/2024

Detail of “If I Had Said Yes, Variant 8”.
This view includes sections of four blocks.

12/08/2024

Detail of “If I Had Said Yes, Variant 7”.
This view includes sections of two blocks.

12/07/2024

Detail of “If I Had Said Yes, Variant 6”.
This view includes sections of four blocks.

12/06/2024

I chose the dotted grid week pages of my thequiltersplanner for the opportunity to sketch if I needed. I was trying to decide between log cabin and my preferred courthouse steps and decided to draw them out. The sketches helped me see that with how I was placing color, they’d be identical (other than seam placement).
Consider this also a preview of a mini workshop coming up next year with dsmmercantile and piebirdpies. Stay tuned for more info!

12/04/2024

Quilts at the studio needed a refresh for this week’s First Friday, especially in the hall. Hope to see you then, 5-8pm.
And a huge thank you to Beau of mass_dsm and gallery4815dsm for the signage upgrade (from my previously handwritten scraps). I’ve even been able to add one to the jackets display.

12/02/2024

It's week 8 of the Solstice Sampler, with "Pine-ing For You" by me. The block is inspired by a pine tree and its shadow during the shortest day of the year. You can still sign up for the sampler here: https://alderwood-studio.myflodesk.com/icddormqt8

Fabric for this year's sampler sample blocks was provided by .

I include here a second version of the block, using Kona Cotton in Haze, Cypress, Dusty Blue, and Holly.

designers are:
, , .weekendquilter, , , , , .quilt.co, and myself.

11/25/2024

Detail of “If I Had Said Yes, Variant 5”.
This view includes sections of four blocks.

11/24/2024

Detail of “If I Had Said Yes, Variant 4”.
This view includes sections of four blocks.

11/23/2024

The upper white/red point was *just* off when I first sewed them and I thought I could live with it. But it was bugging me all week, knowing that mismatch was existing in the world. Usually I give myself three attempts to match points, but I knew I could make it happen happen. For the fourth attempt, I broke out the glue, and now I have a seam I can live with.

11/17/2024

Detail of “If I Had Said Yes, Variant 3”.
This view includes sections of four blocks.

11/14/2024

Last night, hosted a preview of their exhibitions for 2025 and I’m humbled to share the news of my debut museum solo show “Iowa Artists 2025: Ben Millett”. The exhibition will be on view from 26 July to 2 November 2025. I’m working with senior curator Laura Burkhalter to select the right quilted items (quilts, jackets, and more) to be on display, including both existing and to-be-made works. I’ll share more about the show’s theme and related public events as we get closer to the opening in July.

Thanks to for capturing these photos.

11/12/2024

Details of “If I Had Said Yes, Variant 2”.
These two detail views include the corners of 7 blocks, with one block captured in both photos.

11/02/2024

It's November! Which means it's time for Scorpio ♏️ of the Cosmic Collection. This 14" block (finished) can be made as part of the entire collection or as a stand-alone mini.

You can now get the pattern for Scorpio from my shop. Or, if you ordered the Cosmic Collection bundle, you will receive the .pdf via email.
https://benmillett.us/shop/p/cosmic-collection-scorpio-digital-pattern
https://12minis.com/product/cosmic-mini-quilts-12-zodiac-blocks/

The curves used in this mini are also used in the other two minis I designed. Hopefully you'll think of that as a way to practice and develop your curved piecing techniques, especially with some of the other curves used throughout the collection.

My blocks were designed and constructed using Kona Cotton in Bright Idea, Duckling, Peacock, Lagoon, and Pepper. But you don't need to use blues for the water and yellows for the urn. Check out the mockups on the 12 Minis website using colorways selected by the other Cosmic Collection designers: , , and .

11/01/2024

“Hills and Valleys” is my block for the 2024 sampler. It was inspired by all the hikes requiring a compass that I had to go on as a Boy Scout, to build off the compass aspect of the sampler. With a mix of curves and triangles, this block calls on your experience with multiple different piecing techniques.

Tips:
1. Use paper plates to group the patches needed for each quarter of the block. This will help you focus on one section at a time.
2. Fold your curve patches in half twice. Use a Hera marker to mark the edges. After you mark, add a tiny dot of Elmer’s glue on the mark and use a Wonder clip to help the glue hold. After a short period of time when the glue has dried, you can remove the clips to join the pieces.
3. Reduce your machine speed by half when you’re joining a curve, especially for the smaller units. You’ll be more accurate with your seam allowances and have a smoother curve.
4. To match points, align the seams and pin into the seam allowances that will first go under the needle.

Learn more about the planner and preorder for 2025 at https://forcreatives.pub

10/31/2024

I mentioned this earlier, but in addition to being a planner and reference guide, also has a monthly sampler. The blocks use different techniques and can be a way of finding out which patchwork methods you like to work with most.
In addition to the block pattern itself, each designer shares a few tips to help with the block and with patchwork in general. I’ll be sharing some of those tips in a post tomorrow. And there’s a blurb about each designer so you can get to know about them.
No, I don’t usually cover the pattern with my fabric and supplies when I’m making a block. I just wanted to make sure the secrets contained within the planner stay secret.

10/29/2024

Palm Spring photo dump.

A few favorite views and tastes during our time away. We went to celebrate Catlin’s birthday, our 6 & 10 year anniversaries, and being done with all the excitements of the year. Even though I thought I was ready to be out and about, my body had a different idea, as I twisted my left ankle not two minutes into our hike in Joshua Tree. Thankfully our resort had amongst its visitors an ER doctor, a son of a nurse, and a couple that believed strongly in the healing properties of gummies, all of whom were very attentive with commands and medicines. We didn’t have much planned going into the trip, which was for the best as we were forced to spend time lounging in and alongside the pool.

As with other trips, I’ve prepped a blog post of the things we saw, did, and ate.

10/17/2024

This top is for quilt one of twenty-one within the work titled "If I Had Said Yes". Remember that stack of twenty-one green fabrics from a few weeks ago? This top uses the darkest green of that stack.
I'll be saving all other explanation about this work for later, with the caveat that I will never explain to the broad public every detail l like I usually do.

10/15/2024

Tiny Leaves of Lothlorien
This group of tiny quilts has been sitting around for some time and I thought I'd treat them to a RIT dye bath. I didn't have any blue from before, so went with a 1:1 ratio of Apple Green and Lemon Yellow. I was curious how the prints would take the color. Some took it well, some came out muddy, but it's fairly consistent for what I'd expect of adding a darker olive. I think I'll be adding some of the blue next time.

These are all available in my shop, in case one catches your fancy.

10/14/2024

Ode to Ellsworth 2 & -2, reverses
One benefit of thread matching is that there's a gap in the run on the back, communicating on the reverse the shape of the patches from the front.

10/13/2024

Ode to Ellsworth 2 & -2
Top: Kona Cotton in Parrot and Green Tea
Backing & facing: Kona Cotton in Gotham Grey
Batting: Hobbs Batting 100% Cotton
Quilting: 2: 1" channels with Aurifil 50wt in 2890 Spearmint and ¼" channels with Aurifil 12wt in 3320 Spring Green; -2: ¼" channels with Aurifil 50wt in 2890 Spearmint and Aurifil 12wt in 3320 Spring Green and 1114 Grass Green
Size: 14" × 16"
Finished: 11 October 2024

This Ode was inspired by a photograph of a parking garage I took in Phoenix during Quiltcon 2023. I had decided to just do machine quilting and left it like that when I started chemo. Post-chemo, though, I decided it needed hand quilting to more closely approach color field. I think -2 is more effective at that, though the surface texture of quilting will never hide the hand of the maker.

There's a blog post with more information.

10/08/2024

Some Say It's Mystic
Quilt Pattern: my own
Hat Pattern: Alpin from
Exterior: Kona Cotton in Sassy Pink, Cantaloupe, and Key Lime
Interior & Binding: Enchanted in Green by Kaffe Fassett Collective for Free Spirit Fabrics (108" Wideback)
Batting: Hobbs Batting 100% Cotton
Quilting: ½" channels and seed stitch with 12wt in 7002 Neon Pink, 7000 Neon Orange, 7001 Neon Yellow
Size: Large (with minor alterations); 10" × 6" × 4"
Finished: 1 October 2024

Both the patchwork and quilting plans were a challenge. Good thing I did all the hard work for that earlier in the year when I was making my jacket. I'm still in shock that the improvised lines of the front panel match up with the top and brim like they do.

You'll find more details on my blog.

10/07/2024

When the Tula Neon 12wt thread was announced, I knew I needed to get it and make something with it. Fortunately, I was able to get an early sample as an Aurifil Artisan, but then I was stumped on what I was going to make. I realized that my It’s Electric! jacket needed a companion.

Tomorrow I'll share the finished project.

10/05/2024

Day 5 of brings us Graveyard Shift from .

Riley Blake Designs provided the fabric I used for this sample.

10/04/2024

Day 3 of brings us Ghost Owl from Satomi Quilts.

Riley Blake Designs provided the fabric I used for this sample.

10/03/2024

Here are example layouts of my two blocks, and , next to each other. With one, the palantir/crystal ball serving as a bookend for the books in last year's block. With the other, the cat is a little more daring, sitting next to an open flame, as it gives the cat an opportunity to push the palantir off the shelf.

10/02/2024

Day 2 of brings us Mystic Cat Sees All from me.

I designed the block to be a companion to my block from last year's Spooky Season Sampler block (Put a Spell on You).

Riley Blake Designs provided the fabric I used for this sample.

09/25/2024

I've joined eight other designers for this year's Solstice Sampler, organized by . The blocks are inspired by the solstice, particularly the Winter Solstice for the Northern Hemisphere. You'll receive a block pattern weekly, giving you plenty of time to create each block before the next pattern arrives.

Sign up here: https://alderwood-studio.myflodesk.com/icddormqt8

Designers: , , .weekendquilter, , , , , .quilt.co, and me

Fabric for our blocks was provided by .

09/24/2024

It's almost time for Spooky Season Sampler 2024! I'm really excited to again join eight other designers to bring you Halloween-themed blocks. This sampler runs 1-10 October, with nine days of block patterns and one day of sampler assembly instructions. And it's free!

Sign up here: https://cottonandjoy.myflodesk.com/spooky-sampler-2024

Don't worry, you don't need to make the block on the day you receive the pattern (though feel free to do that if you want). You're welcome to save the patterns and make them at your own speed!

Designers: , , , , , , , , and me

The fabric for our blocks was provided by .

09/23/2024

Thanksgiving Dinner Mini (Kona Cotton)
Pattern: Thanksgiving Dinner Mini
Top: Kona Cotton in Ruby, Crimson, Champagne, Oyster, Raffia, Parchment, Olive, Amber, Gecko, Cedar
Backing: Kona Cotton in Gotham Grey
Batting: Hobbs Batting 100% Cotton
Quilting: Aurifil 50wt in 6725 Moondust; Aurifil 12wt in 2260 Red Wine, 2000 Light Sand, 6725 Moondust, 2150 Pumpkin, 2887 Very Dark Olive
Binding: Kona Cotton in Roasted Pecan
Size: 20" × 26"
Finished: 5 September 2024

Happy Fall! This is the Kona Cotton version of my Thanksgiving Dinner Mini quilt. I did quilting a little differently this time, using 50wt for an inner seam echo and 12wt for outer seams echoes, with the 12wt being a coordinating color to the fabric color. With these multiple weights and colors, this fits with the Artisan challenge for October (1 project, 2 weights, 3(+) colors).

I'm really, really happy with this version of the mini. These colors flow together and no single color necessarily vies for all the attention. I'm still keeping the pattern with the AGF colors as the primary version because there is still something satisfying about the tension created by some of the colors being louder than others (which isn't unlike some dishes at a Thanksgiving dinner).

There's plenty of time if you want to make one of these for yourself this year. The pattern is available in my shop. And there's a new blog post with more details about this Kona version.

09/19/2024

Quilting on Lokean Variant 616 started with using my Moxie and to baste 1 inch channels. I initially quilted in between the rows, eyeballing the middle of the lanes. I got most of the want through the in-betweens, but had to take a break while I was going through chemo. My fingertips became much too sensitive/painful. About two weeks after chemo ended was when I attempted using the needle again. I finished the in-betweens and then started replacing the basting lines. I unpicked about a quarter or a third of each basting thread, quilted, unpicked the next quarter/third, quilted, etc., until the row had been replaced.
I’m really happy with my choice to quilt with yellow and by hand. It changes the look of the quilt compared to the other Variants. It adds to the lived-in quality that the dyed fabric brings to the quilt.

09/18/2024

Lokean Variant 616
Pattern: Nine repeats of a block based on Shoofly and Drunkard's Path blocks
Top: Kona Cotton in Basil, Yarrow, Pepper, and acorn- and onion-dyed PFD
Backing: Kona Cotton in Charcoal
Batting: Hobbs Batting 100% Cotton
Quilting: ½" channels with Aurifil 28wt in #2132 Tarnished Gold
Binding: Kona Cotton in Pepper
Size: ~44" × 45"
Finished: 13 September 2024

There's a blog post with more details. Tomorrow I'll share more about the quilting.

09/13/2024

Jester Tote
Pattern: my own
Exterior/Top: Kona Cotton in Pool, Holly, Dahlia, Dk Violet, Orange
Interior/Backing and Binding: Kona Cotton in Orange
Batting: Hobbs Batting 100% Cotton
Quilting: Aurifil 8wt in 1148 Light Jade, 4129 Turf Green, 2510 Light Lilac, 2520 Violet, 1133 Bright Orange
Size: 12" × 9" × 2"
Finished: 6 September 2024

I created this tote to showcase the new Indelible 8wt thread collection by . I was pleasantly surprised that I needed to rethink my quilting plan for 8wt, having been most familiar with quilting with 12wt. Even though I had used 8wt for the wholecloth minis that became the overdyed Leaves of Lothlorien minis, I didn't appreciate that 8wt thread stands out more, which meant I made subtle adjustments to my plan to strike a better balance for the overall design (using French knots instead of Xs, for example). I enjoyed the stretch that comes from working with a new addition to my quilting toolbox.

There's a blog post that goes more into the process of construction and quiltling: https://benmillett.us/blog/jester-tote

09/07/2024

I made these two panels on Thursday for an project. More to come for this.

09/06/2024

Let’s get the party started now that the gang’s all here.