The community of Steamboat Springs and the entire Yampa Valley is well-known for its deep connection with outdoor recreation.
From mountain biking, to skiing, to training for a wide range of Olympic sports, one can hardly turn a corner without seeing some evidence of active and community-based lifestyles.
Active lifestyles and active communities often call for apparel that is designed to meet the needs of a wide range of activities as well as the conditions and temperatures that exist in the Steamboat Springs area. Because of this, there is no shortage of businesses selling outdoor activewear that is produced by large, nonlocal companies.
However, Morgan Kurz, owner of Seam of Life, is a local artisan who uses her skills in dying fabrics and sewing to create merino wool and hemp garments that are designed to meet the needs of those who thrive outdoors. Her products are handmade in small batches and utilize natural dyes to create vibrant colors that make her products even more unique.
Merino wool mountain bike jerseys, hemp clothing, hoodies, merino neck gaiters and headbands are all among the products that Kurz creates. Often, her crafts are based on the season and her customers’ specific needs.
She began sewing in 2016 when she was working for a friend in their clothing business. There, she learned the essential skills of sewing and working with a wide range of natural dyes. Things took a turn when Kurz tore her ACL snowboarding in 2018, which severely limited her ability to enjoy the outdoor activities that had become bastions of her life.
“That is where Seam of Life was born from,” Kurz explained. “I wasn’t able to do a lot of the activities, like snowboarding and mountain biking, as I was healing and recovering from my ACL surgery so I used sewing as an outlet to help heal my body and stay busy mentally while I was healing physically.”
Regarding the innovation and design that goes into her products, she explained that it is an “ever evolving process.” She always takes observations and feedback and uses it to take her garments to the next level in terms of functionality, durability and fit.
The garments that she makes are made from scratch and her fabrics are all dyed naturally using different plants, which means each garment has a one of a kind color. The dyes that she uses include indigo as well as other raw plants and extracts, which leads to a very steadfast color that is saturated, vibrant, lightfast and washfast.
The merino wool mountain bike jerseys that she makes are among her favorite products, owing to her love for the sport and her desire to produce something that is unlike what other companies are offering. The merino-based fabrics she uses are ZQ certified, meaning it is the highest quality wool available and is held to global standards for sustainability while being known for eco-friendliness.
Further, she uses “deadstock fabric,” which is leftover materials from major companies. This enhances Seam of Life’s focus on sustainability and reduces waste within the industry while making the highest quality product possible.
Seam of Life has not been without its challenges, however.
Kurz said dialing in designs has often been one of the aspects of the business that summons her creativity and vision, as she “dials in the subtle details that make a big difference in the long run.” Also, she is a “one-woman shop,” which means every step of the process takes a good deal of time. The online sales environment also poses challenges, as customers cannot feel the fabrics or try items on to get an idea of sizing.
To solve those issues, Seam of Life seeks to have a brick-and-mortar store eventually. The hope is that it will also allow for a natural and community-based growth where customers can try on items and get fitted for custom apparel.
“I like to make things that inspire people to go out on an adventure,” Kurz concluded. “I am offering handmade, local products for people that like to get after it and be active. I feel lucky to be in a place where people are so active and seemingly really conscious of what they consume and what companies they choose to support.”
Kurz’s products can be seen Dec. 9 at the Art Depot, 1001 13th St., in Steamboat Springs during the Holidays in the Rockies event. They can also be purchased through her website SeamOfLife.com.