Irene Ikinilik

Irene Ikinilik is a sewist from Qamani’tuaq (Baker Lake), NU, who currently lives in El River Crossing, NB. She makes amautiit for adults and children as well as accessories, including kamiit and mittens. 

Ikinilik started sewing in 2001, when her mother brought home a sewing machine and some fabric and told her to make a parka. Neither Ikinilik nor her mother knew how to sew, so she taught herself by taking apart an old parka and studying the stitching. “It was really hard at first, because nobody was there to teach me,” Ikinilik says. Today, she creates winter outerwear and accessories that blend traditional Inuit and contemporary designs. One of Ikinilik’s favourite pieces to make is amautiit with fringes for young girls. “My grandma used to make homemade fringes, and I’d watch her,” she says. Her amautiit tend to be made with bold, brightly patterned commander fabric, often floral, though she makes some that are more muted in colour with sealskin and fox fur trim. 

Ikinilik is inspired by her grandparents: Martha Anirniq Ikinilik, who made amautiit and kamiit from caribou hide, and Jacob Ikinilik, who made his own tools. She grew up helping them make tools and prepare caribou hide for creating winter outerwear and accessories. Another source of inspiration for Ikinilik is her children. “I love how my kids react when I finish a project…they give really positive reactions.” When she started doubting her sewing practice, her eldest daughter inspired her to persevere, requesting a handmade parka. “Without her, I don’t know if I could have been sewing still.” She has been selling her work through her business for several years, and in 2020 officially named it Ikinilik’s Stitches.

In the future, Ikinilik hopes to display and sell her work at more markets.