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Blackwork Embroidery with Heidi Henderson
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DC/Folger Theatre/Blackwork Embroidery with Heidi Henderson

Blackwork Embroidery with Heidi Henderson

Folger Theatre · Capitol Hill

RunningMar 7 – Mar 13
Art Formvisual_arts
Who It's Good For

This is ideal for people who want to actually *do* something rather than passively observe—bring comfortable clothes and expect to sit for a while. It'll appeal to embroidery enthusiasts and fiber artists, but also to anyone curious about early modern women's history who learns best with their hands. Skip it if you're looking for a polished performance; come if you want conversation, concentration, and a tangible keepsake.

Heidi Henderson, the Folger's artist fellow, invites you into the intimate world of blackwork embroidery—the monochromatic needlework that graced the garments of Renaissance nobility. Rather than a lecture, this is a hands-on encounter with a technique that requires precision, patience, and a surprising amount of meditative focus. You'll work alongside Henderson in the Folger's Capitol Hill home during Women's History Month, learning stitches that medieval and early modern women perfected across centuries. Whether you're a longtime fiber artist or someone who's never threaded a needle, the experience centers on understanding how women's labor and creativity shaped material culture—and how those techniques still demand our attention today.

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Folger Theatre is in Capitol Hill. The nearest Metro station is Union Station (Red Line), located about a 10-minute walk away. The Blue and Silver Lines also serve Union Station, making it accessible from multiple directions across the city.
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Last updated April 11, 2026 · Summaries written by Theaterloop editors with AI assistance

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