NWT Arts

I sew mitts, headbands, mukluks, parka covers, and I’m just starting to do wall hangings as well. I use all sorts of materials to create these items. I’ve worked with seal skin and beaver fur in different colours, as well as canvas. I sometimes make earrings, and I’ve used seal skins and beads to make those.

I have five children and I sewed for them while they were little. I’d make them little mukluks and hats. I went to sewing classes when I first started, but I stopped sewing when my kids grew up.

Over the years, I received all sorts of materials from my family. I had a whole bunch of material too, so I thought I should try and do something with it. In 2022, I went online and found videos on YouTube for various types of projects. The first thing I tried to make was a poncho, which didn’t turn out so bad, so I’ve kept sewing ever since!

People started asking if I could make mitts, mukluks and house slippers for them, which I do when possible. Whenever I start getting low on sewing supplies, I make earrings with all the little pieces of materials I have left. I like to try new things in creative ways,but getting to see the final product is my favourite part of the process.

When I make mitts, I often use a pattern where I mix two different colours, like pink underneath and white on top. I’ve also made beautiful purple mitts. I like to play with colours like that. In general, sewing makes me feel good, and it keeps my hands busy. I’ve found that it’s a good way for me to keep my mind occupied while making things for others.

My grandmother used to sew a lot, and I loved to watch her. She made mitts, mukluks and fur hats, among many other things. She even used to tan her own hides. It makes me feel good that I learned about all the things she could do.

My mom used to sew too, while she worked at the fur store in Aklavik. When I was little, I used to go there after school to watch her work. One day, there was another lady sitting across from her, sewing. She was making string fur mitts, and I was so inspired by all the different kinds of braids she could make. I ran home, grabbed my strings, and started making bracelets for all my friends that day!