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SANIKILUAQ - A group of Sanikiluaq seamstresses hope to turn their passion into dollars with the creation of a small business plan in the new year.

Caroline Tookalook Sr., right, Annie Kavik Sr., Daisy Emikotailuk and instructor Lee Ann Hines work on new digital sewing machines in Sanikiluaq. - photo courtesy of Muhamud Hassan

"It would help a lot, because there are not many opportunities here in Sanikiluaq for ladies," said Alice Takatak, one of almost 20 participants of a recent sewing program.

From Nov. 10 to 14, the hamlet's council chambers were transformed into a mini workshop complete with 20 brand new digital sewing machines.

The idea for the project came about in a focus group, according to hamlet SAO Muhamud Hassan.

"A lot of women were interested in either crafts or things to make, especially sewing," he said. "The idea was also to bring small groups of women together and create an environment of workmanship.

The project was mainly to create some self-reliance in a social gathering place."

A grant from Kakivak enabled the purchase of the machines for local residents, and the local co-op provided material.

Along with the equipment came a need for new technical expertise.

To that end, the hamlet hired Lee Ann Hines to come and instruct the women during a four-day workshop last month.

"Most had the technical aspect of sewing, but the digital equipment was new," Hassan said.

Takatak began sewing in the early 1990s, inspired by her mother who is a seamstress herself. She applied for the recent program because she was interested in trying out one of the new sewing machines.

She said the new equipment is "awesome."

"There are more choices of designs, all kinds of designs. They're great to have," she said.

Many of the participants spent up to 12-hour days chatting and creating items like vests, handbags, pants and small jackets for infants.

"It was such a success we decided we could create a small business," Hassan said.

After the holidays, Hassan hopes to bring the same group together to work on a small business plan, established in a non-profit structure.

Hassan said the plan is to set up the business online, and sell to nearby markets such as Quebec.