Join local gardener and natural dye enthusiast Judith McPhun with artist Keng Keng Tang  to learn the age-old technique of naturally dyeing fabric using plants. Quilting’s origins are deeply rooted in practices of using what can be found around us, from fabric scraps to old clothes or holey blankets. For this workshop, we will use plants and vegetables that have been grown or gathered locally to transform fabrics with an array of colours. The fabric dyed 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. 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.  At each circle we will collectively develop the community quilt, including creating the fabrics, patchworking, piecing and stitching. Resting and grounding will be woven into each meet up, as well as opportunities to learn about radical quilting histories from invited guests and artists. There will be two Quilting Circles a month from November 2025 until April 2026, all of which will take place in Square Deal. 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. About this Quilting Circle’s contributor: Judith McPhun is a gardener, who has looked after her gardens at Laundry Cottage, near Gartly, for the last 30 years. In the recent past, Judith has explored natural dyes using plants grown only in her gardens. Her gardens are open to the public all year round.  Access Information:

• 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.
• Children are welcome to join in. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
• Gloves and aprons will be provided - you are welcome to bring your own.
• We will provide tea, coffee and snacks - do let us know if you have any allergies or dietary requirements.
• An accessibility guide for Square Deal community hub can be found here with photos and information about the space. Square Deal is a warm and welcoming space, which we know can be much needed throughout the winter months.
• These meet ups will be relaxed, with up to 15 people attending. 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.