Gourds and Pumpkins by LeAnn J. Hileman won Second Place-Wall Quilts–Stationary Machine Quilted at AQS Daytona Beach​ 25

Gourds and Pumpkins by LeAnn J. Hileman is the perfect quilt to start off October and the Fall season ahead. While many think of pumpkins for jack o'lanterns and Halloween, they also perfectly encapsulate the autumnal season. LeAnn's quilt could be a Halloween quilt, or a Thanksgiving one, as it brings to mind cool Fall months with leaves falling and gathering the titular gourds and pumpkins for a Thanksgiving celebration. Last year, Gourds and Pumpkins won First Place - Small Wall Quilts: Pictorial (Sponsored by PFAFF) at AQS QuiltWeek – Paducah 2024. This years, it received Second Place - Wall Quilts – Stationary Machine Quilted​ at AQS QuiltWeek – Daytona Beach​ 2025 and an Honorable Mention in the same category at AQS QuiltWeek - Branson​ 2025.

Inspired by a family photograph, LeAnn used hand appliqué, raw edge appliqué, collage, and other tried and true quilting techniques to achieve the realistic look of the festive Fall foods she has on display.

Quilting Method: Stationary Machine

Quilting Technique: Appliqué (Hand), Appliqué (Raw Edge), Collage, Decorative Stitching, Quilting (Free-Motion)

Design Source: Family Photograph