Want to learn how to sew sealskin mitts? Easy. Just take the Sealskin Sewing course offered by Nunavut Arctic College.
Yes, it’s that time of year again: release of the Continuing Education Evening Course Schedule for the fall semester. The courses offered this year are great, and include Introductory Inuktitut, Digital Photography, Jewellery and Metalwork, Carpentry, and much more.
Last year, I made jewellery (where I put a raven on it) and sewed sealskin mitts.
The Sealskin Sewing course is taught by some of Iqaluit’s most talented seamstresses, many of whom took the Fur Production and Design Program at Nunavut Arctic College. My instructor, Mona Netser, is quite the talented woman. She won a menswear award and sews beautiful kamiik. Heck, she even sews sealskin legwarmers.
Sealskin legwarmers sewed by Mona Netser.
Mona was an incredibly patient and knowledgeable instructor. Over the course of eight weeks, we turned tanned ringed sealskins into the warmest and most beautiful mittens you ever did see. It wasn’t easy – fingers were sliced, punctured, and callused – but it was definitely worthwhile.
In terms of signing up for classes such as this one, be prepared: it’s first come, first served. Much like Mass Registration, course sign-up is a slightly competitive endeavour and many people are disappointed when the coveted spots are no longer available.
Registration will take place at the Nunavut Arctic College main campus this Monday September 29 (5:00pm-7:00pm) and Wednesday October 1 (5:00pm-7:00pm). But don’t let the two-hour registration times fool you – the popular courses will fill up within the first five minutes. Good luck!
Are you hoping to learn how to sew sealskin mitts, or take any of the other evening courses? If so, let us know which ones you’re most excited about in the comment section below or on Twitter!
