Sew Yup’ik Uluaq Bag Pattern

Waqaa,

Here is a fun bag pattern that represents an Uluaq. Uluaq in Yup’ik translates to woman’s knife. Below is the translation of uluaq taken directly from the Yup’ik Eskimo dictionary which can be found here at this LINK

uluaq traditional Eskimo woman’s knife shaped like a broad wedge set in a handle opposite the arc- shaped edge; semi-lunar knife; any type of knife (CAN meaning) sometimes called ‘ulu’ in English, from the Inupiaq name for this kind of knife; the sharp edge of an uluaq is its kegginaq, the handle is its egkuaq; uluakun ulligciuq ‘she is cutting fish for drying with a semi-lunar knife’; Urluvminek- gguq tauna tan’gaurluller tegumiarrarluni. Tauna-llu-gguq aipaa nasaurluq uluamek. Nanikuangengamek taum tan’gaurlullraam tauna nasaurluq pillinia, “Uluarpegun kepqerru.” ‘The little boy clutched his bow and arrow and the girl her semi-lunar knife’. When they panicked, not knowing quite who to do, the boy told the girl, “Cut it with your semi-lunar knife.”’ (PAI 2008:400); NS, Y, NI, NUN, CAN, K, BB, NR, LI;cf. ulu; > uluara-, ulurpak; < PE ulu(3) and ulu3a3

Sew Yup’ik Uluaq Bag Pattern

The image above is what your uluaq bag will look like. You can create your uluaq bag however you would like. You can add a separate material for the handle. You can embellish it with qupak designs. Here is this video on my Sew Yup’ik YouTube channel I show you how I make my qupaks CLICK HERE

To make this bag pattern you will need:

Material for the outside, the uluaq bag pattern is 19″ wide by 12.5″ height

Material for the inside, the uluaq bag pattern is 19″ wide by 12.5″ height

And interfacing, I personally like to use 987F Pellon Fusible Interfacing when making these bags

10″ zipper or longer

And then sewing machine, coordinating thread

To make the handle you can utilize scrap material as well, I like to make my straps 2.5″ wide and iron in a fold, and then sew them together and the length is up to your liking

(I will share this in the video on my Sew Yup’ik Youtube Channel)

You can mix and match your material if you wanted to use scrap fabric for the outer material and liner material

Here is the downloadable PDF pattern to use. You will need to print it on two pages and then tape the handle to the blade pattern.

Once you have the material, and the pattern printed please refer to my Sew Yup’ik Youtube channel for the instructional video. The video can be found here: https://youtu.be/6nAmDHRIuxo

Or click HERE to access the video

When I have the time I will create a written downloadable instructional outlining the steps. For now please refer to my Sew Yup’ik Youtube Channel here: https://youtube.com/@SewYupik

Quyana for downloading this Sew Yup’ik Uluaq bag pattern. I hope you had fun creating your own uluaq bag and please if you make one and share it online tag me Sew Yup’ik. I am on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and Youtube.

Copyright © 2023 Nicolette Corbett

This pattern graphic, the photos and the instructions are copyright Nikki Corbett at Sew Yup’ik. Please do not copy, publish, sell, redistribute or alter them in any way. Please do not rebrand this work as your own and sell or give it away, even if altered. This is intended for your personal use. If you would like to recommend these instructions, please pass on the original download link at Sew Yup’ik . Thank you for your understanding.

Usage – you ARE allowed to use this pattern to make things to sell on a small handmade basis, such as for craft fairs and for your Etsy shop. However it may not be used for larger scale commercial purposes without a commercial license

Quyana Chuck Norris!

Its been a busy December

Lets just say it was a busy busy December with sewing, sewing and more sewing!

Because homemade gifts are the best it was a busy sewing month. Frozen quilts. Christmas qaspeq vests. And just call me the crazy bag lady it was a busy month of bag making.

I have decided to move forward and start my own sewing business. Coming up with the business name was tough but I nailed it down to Sew Yup’ik.

another frozen quilt
It was a frozen themed Christmas sewing of gifts.

christmas vests
Nothing like matching qaspeq vests to bring on the new year!

cup cozies
With each changing season the cup cozies must change too 🙂

finished order
These were two orders matching qaspeq set for two lucky girls, and bags for a happy customer.

fish bags
I wanted to have fancy fun colors for the new set of fish bags.

frozen quilt
Like I said another Frozen themed Christmas sewing. I have one quilt left to sew!

moose slippers
These were created for a special someone who I hold close to my heart. Yes, one slipper says Dick they are for the great Dick Newton of Takotna.

more progress
Because I work full time and am a full time student along with step mother, and wife its a busy life for me so an assembly line is how I work.

out with cold in with new
My husband suggested I sport a new bag since I am a walking advertisement anyway so I had to upgrade my look. 🙂

progress
Step by step I make progress and am working with new designs and new bag layouts for fun!

wall hanging
This was a wall hanging that I worked out with the help of a few ladies. This was not easy but it turned out awesome because I love bright colors and it had to be an old school skandic or elan snogo 🙂

fancy qaspeq
Im playing with fun designs for new qaspeq looks and this was one of them.

Bags
This was the set I Just finished last night.

New batch bags
Another batch of bags.

sewyupik with antlers
My name business name! I love it and cant wait to sport my clothes with this awesome logo!

bag
Another order done.

bags
I had fun making these I love pastel fun colors.

Slipper tops
My poor husband has been so patient with me this is one of his slipper tops. I have finally finished the other side and will add the beaver on this evening! I will have an updated set to load hopefully in my next post!

Lets just say its been a busy month. With the new year approaching I am so thankful for my amazing supportive family and my obsessive personality to never sit down and rest and to always keep busy. 

May your new year bring on happiness, good cheer, and all smiles!