Iqaluit (July 26/04) - Evelyn Kadloo knows that good things come in small packages, and that even a child's doll needs to have its own amutiq to wear.

Kadloo was recently showing how she sews little amutiqs for Barbie and other dolls last week at the Unikkaarvik Visitors Centre in Iqaluit.

"If my kids are sleeping, it takes me one day," Kadloo told one onlooker who wondered how much time she spends on each little work of art.

Kadloo had 10 of her doll-sized amutiqs in all colours spread out on a table in front of her.

People picked them up and marvelled at the tiny soft felt creations with colourful stitching.

While people stopped by to look, Kadloo calmly focused on a new little white amutiq she was sewing as her daughter, Faith, stirred around on her back, then started crying, then stopped for a bit.

Kadloo's son Zachery, 4, was also close by, playing a small electronic game that he kept showing to her. Somehow, Kadloo managed to keep working patiently at her project, despite the obvious distractions.

"I used to watch my grandmother sewing," Kadloo explained, wearing an amutiq she also sewed by hand.

Kadloo grew up in Pond Inlet and now makes her home in Iqaluit.

Her public demonstration of her craft was a first for Kadloo.

Normally she goes around to public places to sell her handmade products, like the doll amutiqs. To actually show people how she does it was unique.

If Kadloo was feeling slightly overwhelmed about answering questions for visitors, doing her sewing and being interviewed, all the while tending to her children, she didn't show it. And by mid-afternoon, Kadloo had sold quite a few of her amutiqs for $20 each ($15 for smaller ones).

Barbie never looked so good.