For centuries, nuns have engaged in the sacred obedience of crafting fine textile arts such as embroidery, tapestry weaving, beading, and other needlework to produce items of beauty for bishops, churches, homes of the faithful, and even for royalty. Queens would commission tapestries or embroideries as gifts for their husband, the king, extolling his virtues and successful battles. Kings commissioned gifts for the shrines of saints to whom they had recourse, such as the famous Maniple of St. Cuthbert placed on his holy relics in 934 by King Aethelstan, who sought the Saint’s aid in his battle with the Scots.

Both Saint Philothei of Athens (mid-1500s) and New Martyr Elizabeth Feodorovna (1918), along with countless monastics over the centuries, had sewing workshops in their monasteries.

            The Queen of All Skete will keep alive this ancient monastic tradition and toward this end, has undertaken the construction of Saint Tabitha’s Studio. This will be a 20′ x 12′ space that will accommodate the equipment and work stations necessary for the holy work of sewing. Many thanks to all of you who have already committed gifts and pledges towards the Studio.

            The Studio is being constructed off-site and will be delivered sometime after Pascha this year. When the ice melts, a level pad must be prepared to hold the building.

            The structure being made now will include 2″ spray foam insulation in the walls/ceiling/floor, five 30×36″ insulated windows, door with half-window, two insulated trapezoid windows, five insulated transom windows, metal roof, electrical outlets and switches, porch light, and DIY minisplit. Costs that will be incurred after delivery include drywall, paint, beaded birch panel ceiling, electrical, vinyl floor tile, and labor costs for these items.

The Queen of All Skete is blessed to preserve some fine treasures of needle arts. Here below are a few of them.