Learn applique and embroidery at February’s Quilting Circle with artist Eilidh Weir. Leaning into winter’s slowness, Eilidh will guide us through the process of stitching patterns inspired by hibernation, rest, and looking out for each other through the dark months. For this workshop, we will learn applique processes, using fabric to create pictures and patterns that express rest through natural processes. From this, we will make individual sections of a quilt, known as quilt blocks, finishing these off with embroidery. The quilt blocks created in this workshop will be included in a new community quilt. This is being created through regular Quilting Circles with artist-in-residence Keng Keng Tang and invited guest workshop leaders. No knowledge of quilt making or textiles is required to be a part of the Quilting Circle - this will be a relaxed session with opportunities to learn, ask questions and meet others. This workshop is free but please let us know you’re coming by booking online here, emailing jess@deveron-projects.com, phoning Deveron Projects on 01466 794494 or dropping by the office behind Huntly Library.   Quilting circles have long been spaces to gather, resist, and learn together, building solidarity through fabric and stitches. Put simply, quilting circles are meet ups where communities come together to make quilts, often through intricately stitching together layers of fabric. From the Alabama-based Freedom Quilting Bee, to Public Library Quilt’s Grief Quilt for Palestine, examples of quilting circles, or ‘bees’, can be found the world over: their common thread is always stories of community care and resistance. This quilting circle, which forms part of Keng Keng’s residency, will explore how mutual care and rest can be embodied and facilitated by a community, and how these practices can come to life through the processes of making and utilising a quilt.  About this Quilting Circle’s contributor: Eilidh Weir is a multidisciplinary artist and workshop facilitator whose work celebrates biodiversity, composting, community and care. Through joyful, practical sessions, Eilidh invites people to reimagine what’s “waste” and explore how creative reuse can nourish both planet and people.  Access Information:

• Children are welcome to join in. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
• We will provide tea, juice and snacks - do let us know if you have any allergies or dietary requirements when you book your space.
• An accessibility guide for Square Deal community hub can be found here with photos and information about the space.
• These meet ups will be relaxed, with up to 12 people attending.
• Circles will begin with a soft start, 10.30am-10.40am.  Future Quilting Circle dates:#4, Saturday 14 March, 10.30am-12.30pm#5, Thursday 2 April, 6-8pm#6, Saturday 11 April, 10.30am-12.30pm#7, Saturday 25 April, 10.30am-12.30pm  The Quilting Circle forms part of Keng Keng Tang’s Square Deal residency at Deveron Projects. Over 6 months, Keng Keng will be weaving mutual care, togetherness and rest, through the five senses in Huntly’s creative community hub. More information about their residency can be found here.