Learning, The Alaska Way: Quspeks and Qrafting

As I have mentioned before, elders from the village come in on Fridays for talks and yuraq (dancing) for the older kids, but they also come in on Wednesdays for the primary grades (K-3). That day has become Quspek Wednesdays, where all the ladies (and some young men) where their kuspuks (English form).

A kuspuk is the traditional Yupik over-shirt type garment worn by both men and women. Men tend to wear them primarily for ceremonial occasions or for hunting, but for women they are everyday wear.

Basically, a kuspuk is a long-sleeved hooded slip-over shirt with a large pocket in the front, like a hooded sweatshirt without a banded bottom. The cuffs, pocket and hood are trimmed with rick-rack or a similar decorative trim. The size of the pocket and the way the trim is applied vary widely among kuspuk makers. Men’s kuspuks are usually made with solid colors, such as blue, green, black or white, or with some print, and have a straight bottom that ends at the hips. Women’s kuspuks are usually made from a patterned fabric, often a small floral print, and may have a short gathered skirt at the bottom. They may also be longer, essentially a dress, mid-thigh or knee length.
Kuspuks are the appropriate garment to wear for any occasion, from cutting fish to picking berries to Eskimo dancing to formal occasions such as weddings. (www.qaspeq.com)

Well, of course, I always want to be part of the "in" crowd, so had been chomping at the bit to make one. There are very few patterns available (only one that I know, and it's said to have very confusing directions), so the real way to learn to make one is from another (Native) woman. Darlene Lincoln (a special education aide at our school) volunteered to teach me. The process is very interesting since the fabric is torn, not cut. Since Darlene and I are about the same size, she brought a couple of her own quspeks for me to try, then held that completed one up against the fabric - and tore away!!

Since word of my quspek lesson got out, several of the other teachers came over and brought their projects - some sewing, some crocheting, come just socializing, and it became quite the coffee-klatch!

That was a couple of week ago, and yesterday I made a second one on my own (grey one in the photos) at another fun crafting session at my house. I have three more ready to sew so I can have a variety to wear on Wednesdays and Fridays. When in Rome (or Toksook, in this case) - - - !!!