Welcome – Let’s Talk About Kuspuk Tunics!

This is my first blog post on Helen’s Handmade. I want to welcome my visitors and thank you for stopping by my shop!

In this section of my blog, I will feature items for sale in my shop and explain how they came to be. Today’s focus is on the Kuspuk tunics you see for sale in my shop.

Inspiration: I was watching Life Below Zero on Netflix, one day. The Hailstone women were all wearing tunics which appeared to be made from assorted cotton print fabrics. In the photo below, the woman on the right and the little girl in front are both wearing kuspuks..

I did a Google search and discovered these tunics were called Kuspuks. I found this paragraph from The National Park Service:

Kuspuk is an English word based on the Indigenous Yup’ik word “qaspeq” which translates to “cloth over parka.” The original qaspeq was made from gut skin, animal hide, or feathered bird skin to keep the wearer warm and dry.

When the Europeans brought cotton fabrics to Alaska, the Kuspuks were made from cotton for wearing in the summer months. The primary purpose of a Kuspuk is to protect the clothing underneath.

After more Googling and watching You Tube videos, I decided to make one. I made several for myself and my daughter and a couple for my granddaughter. I had made a couple of extra Kuspuks that were never worn. I decided to share these Kuspuk tunics with others by making them available in my online shop.

Credits:

• How to cut a traditional kuspuk by Sew Yup’ik
• “Kuspuks: Classic Alaska Attire” from the National Park Service
• Sew Yupik blog site by Nikki Corbett