Sealskin word list

SEALSKIN WORD LIST

In the summer of 2018 Sheila Katsak, Sarahme Akoomalik and Nancy Wachowich documented a series of sealskin sewing terms. Here is our growing list, still growing.

miqsuqtuq

plain stitching; straight and consistent, making sure not to gather material on either side

uiguaqtuq

A type of stitch that is sewn outside or on top of the material. Used for waterproof stitch on kamiks or mitts and is used for kayak sewing. The thread disappears after tightening the sinew. Aligning your needle along the edge of the material, keep in mind the size of

ammukaqtaqtuq

A type of stitch that is sewn outside or on top of material. But differs from uiguaqtuq.

attungiqtuq

A stitch used mostly on the toe part of kamik or the top part of a mitt, sewn on top or outside of material. Also refers to adding sole to kamik.

alanniktuq

Repairing holes or adding another sole on top of the worn ones.

ikpariikusijuq

Stitching that is added later to reinforce the shape of the made garment. This stitch is made inside of the garment and the needle is not pierced through - reinforcement.

ussiksaijuq/uksiksaijuq

Sewing on top layer of skin, not piercing through. Making waterproof kamik.

qingajjijuq

Waterproof stitching used for sewing the front of a dehaired kamik. Qinga means shin. The technique involves stitching pieces together, creating a flap. Then stitching a new seam to close the flap, keeping the sinew taut.

ilujjijuq

Closing the flap of a seam to make them waterproof, to keep the shape of the garment, and to reinforce the stitches so that they will last longer.

iqitirijuq

A stitch that makes pleats to shape material.

majjaktuq

An action that removes fat from sealskin.

qisilirijuq

A general description of working on sealskin.

qaaruviiqsijuq

Removes fat and that "film" that make it attach to skin part in one stroke.

kiaksijuq

Quick blanching of seal skin in water just below boiling point. This is used to achieve white or beige colour. This ‘cooking of the sealskin’ is similar to what is done to other food items, like meat. Cooking only the outer layer.

mamijaijuq

Splitting or planing off a pelt. Molted pelts have thicker hides and may require this process in order to be pliable enough to sew.

miqqungiqsijuq

Removing the fur, dehairing a sealskin, in strokes.

saliguqtuq

Removing the remaining fur from a de-haired skin and cleaning the skin of leftover debris using a tool.

saluaqsaijuq

Hanging a skin to remove the excess water. This is done when the pelt is very wet. Fold the skin in half, not exposing the inner skin area.

mattirijuq

Closing holes by sewing, use mostly uiguaq stitch – before drying it on frame.

inniqtuq

Placing the sealskin on a frame to dry.

miqqulik

Has fur.

kiaktaq

Blanched sealskin - dehaired (dried in days).

nalua

Blanched white sealskin - dehaired (freeze dried and at long periods).

maaktaliik

Dark brown sealskin - natural colour - dehaired.

maaktaqangiktuq

Maminga is removed. Thinner leather.

iqaqtiliik

Black seal skin – natural colour – dehaired – Thicker than maaktaqangiktuq but the same category of skin.

iqaqtaqangiktuq

DEFINITION TO BE ADDED

attungaksaq

Preparing seal or ugjuk skin dedicated for the sole of kamik.

ugjugajaq/ujjugajaq

Bearded seal skin.

qairulirajak

Harp seal skin.

qaikaksaijuq

Smoothing out the sole with a smooth rock.

igguaqtuq

Smoothing out the soles with your teeth.

uluurngaqtuq

Scrunching up a sealskin to soften it.

angulajuq

Chewing soles to soften them.

angullariqsaktuq

Finishing up a sole with your teeth, making it extra soft.

kiilirqtuq

Softening a new sole with your teeth, making marks.

avasijuq

Sewing up holes in a newly scraped skin.

igguarqtuq

Smoothing out the pleats with your teeth or a tool (like a rock or a jar).

ungirusiijuq

Putting string on the kamik, adding the laces.

uuktuqtuq

Pattern cutting, measuring.

tukiqtuq

Stomping on the sealskin to soften it.

qisiit

Sealskins.

siiksijuq

Cutting the sealskin from flipper hole to edge, to make it stretch out larger when you are drying/stretching it.

uukturlugu

Similar to uuktuqtuq; cutting a pattern, a rough draft.

kiilirlugu

Similar to kiirlirtuq; Starting out chewing

uqsuqtirlugu

Putting oil on a sole.

angullariksarlugu

Similar to as augulalariksartuq; Chewing it some more to make it softer

tasiuktirlugu

Stretching the sole with a tool, this is when the hide is soft.

uuktuqlugu

Precise cutting of a pattern.

kiglinga majjagluglu

Cutting the edge, making the edges thinner by cutting the top part off.

qitingit nalunaitkkusirlugit

Placing markers on the soles.

kinisirlugu

Softening the edges of a sole by chewing or dipping it in water.

ammukartarlugu

Stitching type, specifically for the soles.

atunngirlugu

Another stitch type, specifically for the toes of the sole.

iggualugu

Similar to igguaqtuq; when you are done with the stitches, you smooth out the pleats by chewing on them, or with a tool.

iqpariikusirlugu

Reinforcing stitch for the soles (front- once) and back (3 or 4 times, depending on the height of the heel).

kammaksarlugu

Tool that shapes the kamik.

panirsarlugu

Once you have the right shape, you dry it.