I am frugal, when I cut the fabrics in my stash to sew something, I really make sure I have very little wastage. Same goes with my sealskin pelt that I acquire in Iqaluit, it killed me a bit when my instructor put the cardboard pattern on it and it was a little long and they wanted to cut it anyways and then trimmed it after. I was however glad I have enough scraps from it to make mitts for the kids.Its not that I am that frugal that I need to make mitts for them, but I am fed up with the store bought mitts Ava has. She has a pair of fleece mitts from Old Navy, someone gave it to her, the stupid thing wont stay on her hands since the cuff is made too big though its a size for 2 year olds. She has a pair of thinsulate mitts from children’s place I think and its too narrow though the size is for 2 – 3 y.o and she can’t find her hands in it. And I can now see the design flaw of most mitts in the store, they think fashion but dont think if it will work for the wee customers.

For her mitts, I had elastics at the cuff, this in turn keep the mitts on her and she wont lose it and it will stay on her. The mitts are good till she is 4 or even 5, so for now the elastic is up to half way of her lower arm instead of at her wrist..but no issue there.

sealskin mitts for Ava with fox fur trim.

This is the original sealskin pelt.

stretching and softening the sealskin even more for the kids mittens. I dont hv the blunt tool but I find a can works well too. It did stink but I think the smell is very mellow now in comparison to when I first got it.

Ava trying her hand at stretching a sealskin pelt that belongs to a friend of mine. The blunt tool she is holding is what I dont have.

I am pleased how the mitts for her turned out. It was a BITCH to sew, especially since I had to turned it and of course my hands didnt fit in it to turn it properly and I have to use a wooden spoon to turn it and make sure the lining fits inside of it fine. And since this mitts will not be washed in the washing machine, I glued the fox fur on it instead of sewing it. Sewing sealskin is not easy, its like very very hard leather. My fingers hurt though its due to my own stupidity, I dont have a thimble and now I know I need one. I rarely hand sew anything unless its decorative and its normally fabric, not skin.

I wanted to sew a pair for Ben but with what I’ve gone thru with Ava’s mitts, I dont think he need one bad enough yet. And every time we go out, he sits in the amauti, the mitts for him will be easier to sew since its thumbless but still I think my fingers need a break.

I am actually salute the Inuit elders, they were probably born where their mothers still had to sew skin clothing for the family. I am bitching just sewing a pair of children’s mitts, I cannot imagine sewing clothing for an entire family! But I am very glad I learned the skill.