Bill Stearman, Quilt Maker

In June, I was fortunate to be awarded the Oeno Gallery Award of Excellence at the annual  Art in the County Show. I think what made this seem extra special for me is that the award was given in an art show, and not in a quilt show. It was an amazing honour!  

Quilt Canada 2024 was held in Edmonton Alberta last June. I didn’t go because of Alberta’s policies around Trans Rights. But I had five (5) quilts juried into the show!!  And … I won two major awards. 1. First Place - Modern Quilt Category 2. Award of Excellence in Sustainability in Quilt Making In June of 2025, Quilt Canada is in Toronto and I am one of the featured lecturers.  

I am DETERMINED to update this blog now that it is attached to billstearman.ca!! In February, 2024 I went to QuiltCon 2024 in Raleigh North Carolina. I had the BEST time!  And I had two quilts in the show which was very cool! QuiltCon 2025 is in Phoenix Arizona this February and once again, I will be there! I figure at my age, I don’t want to miss going while I am still able!  lol Here are pictures of the quilts that were in the show last year.  

In the Autumn of 2023, I made this quilt to be used as a backdrop for a  Photo Booth at the 2023 Firelight Lantern Festival. The design is not my own. It is inspired by the logo for the organization. I am so proud to be on the Board of Directors for this organization.  They do so much good within our community!  

Our 2024 button order arrived yesterday and we are pretty happy with it! We order our buttons from Six Cent Press in Vancouver, BC and have always been happy with the quality of their work … and with the promptness of delivery! We placed the order on April 29, and one week later, the box of 1500 buttons arrived at our door via Canada Post. This week and next, we’ll get them out to interested shops on the Main Street of Picton. We’ll also have them at the Wellington Farmers’ Market at the Eddie Farm and Hotel (on Loyalist Parkway between Bloomfield and Wellington). And of course, I’ll have them available in my studio in The Armoury, Main Street, Picton. We ask for a minimum donation of $1 per button, to defray costs.  Once the costs are covered, money will be donated to groups supporting Queer Folk in the area.  

  I have finished 25 quilts that I’ll be selling at the Wellington Farmers’ Market this season. Most are listed here. These quilts are made specifically to sell as fund-raising quilts and not the quilts that I enter in shows. There IS a lot of love in them. The Wellington Farmers’ Market is held each Saturday starting May 11 (Mothers’ Day weekend) through to the last Saturday in October.  We’ll be there every Saturday, except for June 13, when we’ll be at Gather In the County , which will be held at the Crystal Palace in Picton. We’ll also stay home on rainy Saturdays since quilts and rain really don’t mix all that well. The Wellington Farmers’ Market is held at The Eddie Farm and Hotel, on Loyalist Parkway, between Bloomfield and Wellington, is a fun place to bring the family. There are lots of unique vendors and cool things to see and do, all in a truly beautiful and spacious country setting. Watch for the big red barn and all of the tents!  There will be a few mor...