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LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON - Watching Mary Rose Denethlon model the parka she's made, it's hard to imagine before this project she'd never used a sewing machine before.

Denethlon is one of five women in Fort Simpson who will be proudly wearing their handmade parkas next winter. The parkas are the end result of 150 hours of class work in the sewing component of the traditional arts program Aurora College is offering in the village.

Beatrice Antoine, left, and Mary Rose Denethlon model the parkas they made as part of the sewing component of the traditional arts program that's being offered at Aurora College in Fort Simpson. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

Each parka was cut from the same pattern, but personalized touches, including beading and rick-rack, have turned them into works of wearable art.

"These ladies have done an amazing job," said Deborah Stipdonk, who led the sewing course.

When classes started on Feb. 2, the women began with the basics including how to use a sewing machine and an introduction to sewing construction. Work on the parkas started in the beginning of March.

No shortcuts were taken during the project, said Stipdonk.

"It's been a long process, and people have worked really hard," she said.

The five women started by taking measurements and modifying the Alaska parka pattern to fit their frame. After making a mock-up with felted paper to test their pattern, the students started on their lining.

Made out of a satin-based fabric, each parka was personalized with drawstrings, interior pockets and storm cuffs. The outside of the parka is made of 100 per cent wool duffel of the heaviest available weight.

More personal touches were added in the pocket design and the embellishments before the Arctic fox fur was sewn around the hood in the final step.

"They are a lot of work," Stipdonk said about the parkas.

"I am really impressed with the work people have put into it."

All of the parkas are expected to be finished by April 24 when the class ends.

The project was challenging and required a lot of patience, said Beatrice Antoine, one of the students.

After having to redo her zipper three times before she finally got it perfect, Antoine learned it's important not to rush or you'll end up making a mistake. You have to be exact during many stages, particularly when you cut the material, she said.

Although she'd sewn before Antoine had never made anything as intricate as a parka. Antoine said she "feels proud" to have finished the project.

"We had a lot of fun," she said.

Wanda Norwegian said she also enjoyed the course, even though she'd never done this much sewing before.

Having made her first parka for herself, Norwegian said she's considering making more in the future.

Elizabeth Hardisty and Donna Courtoreille also participated in the program.

After their sewing class in the morning, the women spent their afternoons with Louisa Moreau, who led the Northern embellishments portion of the program.

The college will be offerng fur and moosehide tanning as well as the footwear components of the program next fall followed by the second half of the sewing course in the winter.