The nights in Alaskan winters are very long, dark and cold. Many an Alaskan has passed the time productively by making quilts either for sale or home use. One of my nicest Alaskan memories is of sleeping under a bed with 12 handmade/homemade quilts!
There are quilting contests in Alaska that are part sewing marathon part all night quilting bee. Fabric and quilting books and supplies could make a very nice souvenir of Alaska. I promise you that the average visitor to Alaska doesn't get to meet real people in such friendly circumstances.