Step-by-Step Nasqurrun Making Guide

Prepping for Nasqurrun Making

Materials Needed:

  • Wolf furย (cut into ยฝ” strips) โ€“ One wolf can make approximatelyย 15-20 nasqurruns
  • Beaver furย (cut into ยพ” or ยฝ” strips) โ€“ One beaver can make approximatelyย 10-15 nasqurruns
  • Canvasย (cut toย 21″ wide, 10.5″ height)
  • Razorย (for cutting skin)
  • Decorative trimย (for karaliqs – embellishments)
  • Elastic or moosehideย (for ties)
  • Beadsย (Sizeย 6mm or 8mmย for general beading,ย 10mmย for finishing)
  • Beading needlesย (Glovers size 10 recommended)
  • D-Nymo threadย (Black and white)
  • Sewing machineย &ย Thread

Traditional vs. Modern Materials

  • Brown beaverย was traditionally used.
  • With the introduction of dyes,ย black beaverย was incorporated.
  • Today, the choice of fur color is based onย personal preference.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making a Nasqurrun

Step 1: Stretch the Wolf and Beaver Skins

  • Wolf:ย Split the skin, wet it, fold itย skin-to-skin, and let the water soak into the fibers before stretching.
  • Beaver:ย Block-stretch by wetting the skin, folding itย skin-to-skin, letting the water soak in, then stapling it to a plywood board.

Step 2: Cut the Fur into Strips

  • Once stretched and dried, carefully cut the fur into the designated strip sizes.

Step 3: Prepare & Decorate the Canvas

  1. Hem the edges:ย Foldย ยผ” downย and sew to create a clean edge.
  2. Cut and iron:
    • Cut canvas intoย 21″ x 10.5″ย pieces.
    • Fold in half and iron to create a crease.
  3. Decorate:
    • Start decoratingย one side onlyย (the side with the crease).
    • Begin withย karaliqsย and work your way toward the end.
  4. Sew fur pieces:
    • First, attachย karaliqs.
    • Next, sewย beaver furย using a sewing machine.
    • Finally, layer and sewย wolf furย on top.

๐Ÿ’ก Need a visual guide? Check out my Sew Yup’ik YouTube channel!

Step 4: Finish the Edges

  • Sew both ends down with aย ยผ” seamย to complete the edges.

Step 5: Add Beadwork

  1. Mark Placement:
    • Try on the nasqurrun and mark theย end of your eyebrowsโ€”this is where the beading will start.
  2. Bead as Desired:
    • The amount of beadwork isย your choice!

Step 6: Attach the Ties

  • Sewย one sideย with elastic or moosehide ties.
  • Adjust and sew theย other sideย accordingly.
  • Final stitching:ย Sew theย top canvas edges together, avoiding sewing into the wolf fur.

๐Ÿ’ซ Tuai! Your nasqurrun is complete. Wiinga aqa taqua!

๐ŸŒŸ Stay Connected with Me!

Follow my journey, support traditional Yupโ€™ik arts, and never miss an update on workshops, tutorials, and cultural storytelling:

๐Ÿ”— Sew Yupโ€™ik

๐Ÿ“ธย Instagram:ย @sewyupik
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โ–ถ๏ธย YouTube:ย Sew Yupโ€™ik Channel
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๐Ÿ’Œ Stay in Touch

๐Ÿ“ง Email: sewyupik@gmail.com

If you would like download the PDF it is below. If you make a nasqurrun please tag me on social media. Quyana Chuck Norris!

Here is the YouTube for reference: https://youtu.be/xSdluEebTec