Introduction to Embroidery

If you’re fixing to learn a new quarantine craft, the only hoop you need to jump through is an embroidery one. On Sept. 20, DC Design Week will gather amateur craftspeople from the comfort of their homes for an Introduction to Embroidery virtual class. This beginner-friendly course, led by designer Jo Zhu, will teach participants not only how to complete basic stitches, but also how to adapt images to the craft of embroidery and create textured compositions. Participants need only gather a few basic supplies, including a sewing needle, plain T-shirt, and embroidery floss, to begin learning to stitch. This embroidery class is part of DC Design Week, an annual series of events from Sept. 18 to 25 that celebrates the District’s artistic community. Also on the lineup is an animation course, a dance cardio class, and a seminar on how to design for activism. The class begins at 12:30 p.m. on Sept. 20. Registration is available at dcdesignweek.org. $10–$15. —Ryley Graham

Virtual Scavenger Hunt of the Smithsonians

This week might be the only time when having a skeleton in your closet is actually a good thing. Whether or not you’re hiding a fossilized T. rex or an Egyptian cat mummy in your home, this virtual scavenger hunt of the Smithsonian museums includes trivia, icebreakers, and secret challenges to help you explore the institution online with fellow museum-goers and treasure-hunters. While the quests will accommodate scavengers of every household, it stands to reason that any lucky owners of Hope Diamonds, magical ruby slippers, Apollo 11 command modules, or Kermit the Frog memorabilia might just have an advantage. So maybe you’re not actually playing pet-sitter to “Henry,” the elephant that normally guards the National Museum of Natural History’s rotunda, but perhaps you have elephants of a different sort lurking around your room? Inspired by the Smithsonian’s ethos of inquiry and documentation, this playful journey will acquaint you with beloved mementos on display around hunters’ homes and neighborhoods. Who knows what you might find? After all, the Smithsonian’s Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton was originally discovered in 1988 by an amateur fossil hunter, Kathy Wankel. She noticed a bone peeking out of the ground while on a camping trip with her family in Montana. Today, it’s one of the most complete skeletons of its kind ever discovered. The event begins at 11:30 a.m. on Sept. 19. Registration is available at thingstododc.com. $15. —Emma Francois