Saturday Sewing: Mini-Mukluks

 With the cold weather settling in, and the temp dipping down into the teens for several weeks now, Sadie has been long overdue for a pair of warmer winter boots, and I have been scouring the online pattern sources looking for something simple, and mukluk-y.  I haven't been so lucky, so I had to make up my own pattern.  I am kind of liking how it came out. 

 

I found this awesome, double-sided minky fabric when I was down in the big city.  I had no idea what it would be good for, but it was 75% off, and so soft and warm, so I bought the rest of the bolt.  Turns out, it sews up into some sweet little muks. Sometimes those impulse purchases do come in handy!

I still have a few tweaks I need to make on this pattern, but I think overall it's a good one. {Really quick and easy to put together, which is the only way I sew these days} In fact, the hardest thing about it was just trying to get Sadie to sit/ stand still long enough so I could take a picture.

 

blogAlaska Part 1: Alaskans don't care if their feet look funny.

I was at a gathering of friends the other night and it occurred to me, while dodging a bazillion pairs of boots in the arctic entryway, that here in Alaska we have some funny looking footwear.  Moreover, I think we're a little bit proud of it. (Although we would never come right out and say it). The old saying goes that you can learn a lot about a man by walking a mile in his shoes, well--here is what Alaskan's footwear says about us:

The XTRATUF

also goes by 'tuffs, Southest Sneakers, or just rubber boots--like, is there really another kind?

Beloved and owned by almost all Alaskans this homely brown boot comes in a few varieties: steel-toed, regular and insulated or some combination thereof.  They also come in a low-top "sneaker" form.  You will see the densest concentration of this footwear in Southeast Alaska, or anywhere where commercial fishing is an economic staple.  That being said, I see quite a few pairs of these bad-mamajamas hangin' around in Nome. I myself own a pair of the insulated ones, they keep my feet toasty and dry all the way down to about 5 degrees, then I have to switch out for my real winter boots.
When I go to visit my family in Southeast, this is the only pair of "shoes" I pack. Seriously, they go with everything.  And, yes, it is acceptable to wear them with skirts here in Alaska.  You wouldn't get a second glance...Heck, some people even wear them at their weddings.