Q&A with Emily Leon of Frozen Stitches
Storyknife, May/June 2026 edition
Emily Leon is a 九色视频 Shareholder and the seamstress behind Frozen Stitches, a custom qaspeq ordering and sewing class business.
Frozen Stitches qaspeqs stand out for their classic, dressy look in both traditional and modern patterns. The company has a strong online presence on Facebook () and an online shop at , and since 2024, it has been part of the Calivika Shareholder Directory, 九色视频鈥檚 website featuring businesses owned by Shareholders, Descendants and their spouses.
Quyana to Emily for participating in the following interview about her small business journey.
A bit of advice for budding entrepreneurs: Do it! Full send! Be mindful, do it happy, do it sad, do it tired, do it mad鈥� but just do it! Being consistent is key to success.
Emily Leon of Frozen Stitches
Tell us about yourself and the origin of Frozen Stitches.
Waqaa! Cungakaugua. My name is Emily Leon (Chagluak), my parents are Gabriel and Kathryn Chagluak of Toksook Bay. My sewing journey began in childhood, when young girls learn to make sewing kits, among other things, by hand with needles and thread. The Nelson Island School held an annual culture week at the end of the school year in honor of the many Yup鈥檌k traditions we practiced. I hold many fond memories of sitting with our Elders, watching and learning from them.
While attending the University of Alaska Fairbanks, the Inu-Yupiaq dance team welcomed me with open arms and in 2008, we broke out about five sewing machines in the Rural Student Services gathering room to sew our performance garb. This is where I learned to use a sewing machine to sew a life-sized qaspeq, and with the guidance of two talented women, Chelsea Zibell and Marjorie Tahbone, we sewed late into the night a few evenings to make sure everyone had a new qaspeq to wear for our performances.
In 2016, my career as a seamstress kicked off when my boss at the Alaska Native education department wanted a qaspeq for the events we hosted. Not long after, several Fairbanks teachers and admin wore a Frozen Stitches qaspeq on #wearitwednesday. During my short stint teaching elementary school, I was able to sew on the side for a little extra income. The work was steady.
How has your business grown since you started?
At the end of the 2021 school year, I decided to commit fully to my sewing business. It was the scariest and most risky life-changing move for me, but one I鈥檇 make again. I have to give a huge shout out to my supportive and loving husband, Alex, for encouraging me to delve fully into my small business. The support from my family and friends truly is what helped my small business thrive. Since going full time, I鈥檝e fulfilled hundreds of custom qaspeq orders for people and organizations across our state and even have pieces as far away as Germany!
What are some of the rewarding experiences you鈥檝e had with Frozen Stitches?
In the last two years, I have traveled all around our great state to teach qaspeq sewing. My passion for making these garments and for teaching blend very well together, and each class has yielded fun and memorable moments. I think the greatest reward I鈥檝e experienced is knowing that I鈥檓 passing on the knowledge for how to make these pieces in honor of our culture. I鈥檓 very proud of the people who have taken the time to learn qaspeq sewing, not just from me, but other talented seamstresses as well, and begun their own small business journeys!
What advice do you have for Shareholders interested in starting a business?
A bit of advice for budding entrepreneurs: do it! Full send! (or whatever the kids these days are saying). Be mindful, do it happy, do it sad, do it tired, do it mad鈥� but just do it! Being consistent is key to success.
What future plans do you have for your business?
I would love to see more people learning to sew qaspeqs. My own goals and dreams are to have a classroom space where people can come learn this beautiful art. Until then, I am grateful for this gift and all the opportunities that it brings. Quyana, tuaingunrituq. Be kind, practice love and abundance.
Visit the Calivika Shareholder Directory to create your own free business listing and review options to purchase goods and services from our people. See .