Seal-Shaped Ivory Needle Case

“Not only did the women carry sewing kits, but so did the men, because when they were out hunting, they could mend the qayaq as needed.†–Nick Tanape

"The thimble was a small, semicircular piece of thick sin, with a slit parallel to the straight edge. Ordinary sewing needs were said to be of copper and provided with an eye, but many bone needles and awls were found during the excavation and were doubtless far more common in prehistoric periods than those of copper. When sewing heavy skins, the women first punched a hole with an awl and afterwards used a special bone needle with an eye. Needles were stuck into a piece of eagle skin with the down and rolled up, but they had also a needle case consisting of an eagle wing feather, the upper end of which was plugged with wood." -Kaj Birket-Smith, The Chugach Eskimo, Pg 77