December 2017 – Nasek'taq

I started cutting the squirrels without first measuring my parka. Big mistake! I cut all the squirrels and all I had left was to sew based on the exact measurements. My mom and her high school classmate Anna Jacobson encouraged me to continue and they said it’s ok – that I am in the learning process. 🌸

My first sewing of the squirrels I doubt myself but I believe because people believe in me. In the dime light limited by lack of electricity and modern antiquities – our ancestors figured out a way to survive the harsh Arctic conditions by making nature into themselves.

Under the electric light in the darkest time of the year on a different time – we are blessed because of the what was in the past – perseverance one thread at a time.

I will have to continue even after the mistake of cutting without measuring the parka. In the mean time I have started sewing the squirrels together piece by piece

I started by below the center shield; front from below the shield it is 23.5 inches long and the back measures 25 inches long. The width of the center squirrel is 5 inches. I had 4 inches in most of the squirrels so I had to add 1/2 inches on both sides to make 5″ width. The good thing about these mistakes is that you can add by sewing to make the measurements right.

From the center I will sew the squirrel parka out to the sides to merge the front and back. Shoulders and then arms out. Most of the parkas I have inspected I always go straight to the arm pit to see how it’s done. Measuring tape will be my contemporary tool and I will research the hand finger measurements when time permits. Thank you for being patient with me with my posting of the parka progress. There is more to come.