Bill Stearman is one of the three quilt designers on the True Colours Quilt Along block selection team. Learn more about the quilt along and join the fun here.
There is a thread running through Bill Stearman’s quilting story that speaks to his appreciation for life, and his belief in an individual’s power to inspire change.
About 10 years ago, he had a significant injury to his leg, and the hospital sent him home with a powerful pain killer that he says he absolutely couldn’t take.
“I live with a cool case of ADHD and the pain meds killed my brain,” he explains. “Because of my ADHD, I absolutely can’t live without my brain. There’s a whole other world going on in there all of the time and I can’t lose contact with it, so I looked for other ways to deal with pain.
“Someone suggested that I make a quilt, so I got a cheap, used sewing machine and started. What I discovered is that when I make quilts, I am so focused on what I’m doing that I don’t feel the pain. I haven’t stopped since then. Quilt making has become my passion.”
For the Oppression of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Two-Spirit Communities, We Apologize, 73″ x 82″. “If I am remembered for anything after I am gone, I hope that it is this quilt.” Quilted by Deanna Gaudaur @quiltequilter.
Then, in January of 2021, Bill was diagnosed with liver cancer and given two years to live.
“Through what I see as a series of miracles, I managed to get approved for a liver transplant, and in July of that year, I received a transplant using my daughter’s liver. Now, I have 20+ years to live and a very different outlook on just about every aspect of life!”
Bill feels this gift of time can’t be wasted. Not only that, it comes with responsibility, and he is determined to use it to change the world.
“Prior to my transplant, I often used social justice themes as a focus in my work,” he says. “Now, my commitment to social justice—to diversity, equity, and inclusion; to basic human rights—is the primary focus of my work. I am particularly interested in advancing rights and quality of life for Queer folk and other marginalized groups.”
“I strongly believe that my ‘one voice’—indeed everyone’s ‘one voice’—makes a difference and can bring about change. This is another major theme in my work, and a notion that motivates everything that I do.”
1971…Before we could ask, 53″ x 64″. Winner of the Award of Excellence for Sustainability in the National Juried Show at Quilt Canada 2024. Quilted by Deanna Gaudaur @quiltequilter.
Inspiration for Bill’s quilts comes from everyday situations and experiences.
“Ideas come in words first, but I quickly put the words into a sketch. I always have a notebook of graph paper with me and I jot down the idea and a simple sketch. If I don’t write it down, the idea is gone. Sometimes an idea comes from the feel of a fabric, or its colour, or even its smell. Again, I need to record it so it isn’t lost.”
If one of those ideas stays with him, he’ll develop the sketch, then gather fabric that will work. He uses a design wall to lay out the pieces.
“Most of my work is improv,” he says, “so often the end quilt looks nothing like my original sketch, but it will have the same flavour and story.”
If things are working out, he’ll finish the quilt. Others get stored in a tote for a few months, and then may be reworked if another inspiration strikes.
“Eventually, everything that I start gets finished, but it often needs some ‘time out’. At any given time, I’ll have 15 to 20 ideas brewing in totes on shelves in my studio.”
Fix the Village! Trans Rights are Human Rights, 54″ x 56″.
When it comes to quilt design and construction Bill has advice similar to Jordan St. James’, who doesn’t follow any rules. Bill advised quilters to take classes, learn the rules, and know how to do things right…then ignore the rules and do what you want.
“Develop your own style. Don’t be afraid to try new things,” he says. “Make your work your own and have fun with it all!”
I Came Out at Age 47: a coming out story in Braille, 60″ x 72″. Inspired by the work of Thomas Knauer. Quilted by Deanna Gaudaur @quiltequilter.
Bill is very excited that CQA/ACC is hosting the True Colours Quilt Along, and helped to choose the final 12 block patterns. He is also enthusiastically sharing his wisdom and experience by supporting the organization’s development of statements regarding diversity and inclusion, and privilege.
One of the frustrations Bill has experienced in the quilting world is a common belief that quilts should just be pretty, although he thinks things are getting better.
“This Quilt Along really points out how quilts can have a social justice focus and be pretty at the same time!”
