I’m working on a couple AG sized “kuspuks”. In one book I have about traditional dolls of Inuit and Yupik people they are called Mother Hubbards and show some that a Mama can carry her little one on her back within the coat.

From my googling around it seems that most kuspuks are made of calico, have a large front pouch pocket, and are trimmed with ribbons and rickrack. Some have a fur ruff around the face. But not necessarily. It seems they are traditionally “summer” coats.

In this picture Kit is modelling the kuspuk I made for my Maplelea Saila Maplelea is the Canadian version of American Girl dolls. (Did you know there’s also Australian Girl dolls?). To the left on a hanger is the kuspuk I made for CoraMaezy, my Girl For All Time “Clementine”.

Tonight, I’m sewing another kuspuk, using some lovely buttery microsuede. It’s not calico, but I’m hoping it’s within acceptable parameters for a Nebraskan who’s interested in learning more about traditional clothing.

Rickrack is a traditional embellishment. I also liked the vintage embroidered roses on white, or the red Czech woven ribbon.

I debated a lot of different trims before settling on the blue woven floral (a special bit I actually found at a super cute shop (Website here) in Wilber Nebraska, Czech Capital of Nebraska) and then I’m going to knit the fuzzy yarn into a “fur” ruff.

I’m excited to start on the handwork: finishing the lining, adding embellishments and snaps, turning the cuffs and hemming the skirt. Stitching by hand makes me feel connected with my Mom and my grandmothers and with all the ladies (and men) who use their hands to create things that are useful and beautiful.

Love to you–

C.

PS: If you would like to read a sweet book about being a child in Alaska in the 1920’s, I highly recommend Bo at Ballard Creek.

or the sequel

Here’s another book that’s a treasure, even if most of the pictures are black and white.