Rugged Thread is converting outdoor industry waste into a new economy and we are hiring!
Learning to sew at the age of thirteen combined with the love of being outdoors became a gateway of opportunity that has served her ever since. At 18 she dropped out of college to follow the snow, eventually landing at Utah’s Snowbird Ski Resort where she found work at the mountain tailor shop. Besides skiing every day, she learned the classical art of tailoring and applied it to the ski industry. By 20 she owned the shop, Wasatch Design, where they not only repaired skiwear but also designed and manufactured their own line of fleece and specialized in custom outerwear for individual skiers all over the U.S. Kim finished her higher education at OSU in the fall of 2016 just as Rugged Thread, which she started in 2011, began to demand her full attention. Over the years, she’s seen the Outdoor Industry change its focus from production and sales to addressing sustainability, environmental issues, over-consumption and waste. Now Kim is transforming broken gear into a new repair economy.
Deyva learned how to sew from her mom and grandma when she was 10, and has loved it ever since. She graduated from OSU Cascades in 2023 with a biology degree, and as a nature lover, is passionate about the sustainability of outerwear and gear repair. In her free time she likes to trail run, mountain and gravel bike, ski, and knit.
Aidan learned how to sew for his Eagle Scout Project in highschool. He learned the repairs side of sewing during his tenure at Patagonia in Reno, Nevada. He loves hearing the story behind a garment and getting it back out into the wild to be used and loved for years to come. In his free time, Aidan like to go camping and hiking with his wife and two dogs as well as play all types of golf, paddle board, basketball, billiards, and hanging out with friends and family.
Lulu is from From Burlington, VT and grew up sewing with her mom & grandma. She then went to College in Boston for Arts Management. After college she worked in Logistics for the Colorado Outward Bound School in Moab, UT/ Leadville, CO for 3 years. While at Outward Bound she repaired many sleeping bags, backpacks, boats and many many torn student & staff clothes from canyon courses. She’s been doing freelance repair work since then. She likes to knit, ski, paddle board and adventure with her sister, Lena in her free time.
Laura comes from the sunny shores of England, where she first learned to sew in her Home Economics Textiles class. Since then, she’s developed a passion for designing and crafting a wide variety of soft home furnishings, baby gear, and Halloween costumes. This passion ultimately led her to Rugged Thread, where she has become one of our extremely talented sewing technicians. When she isn’t restoring loved technical gear to all its glory, you can usually find Laura tending her backyard garden or taking on yet another home improvement project.
Julie’s love for sewing began at the age of nine, when she was introduced to sewing through her 4-H club. After years of sewing competitions, she took the skills she had learned to New York City, where she pursued a degree in Fashion Design. Love for family brought her back to Oregon and she has lived in Bend since 2007. When she’s not at home decorating, making art or snuggling with her cat, you will find her in the beautiful outdoors. She enjoys hiking, kayaking, rock-hounding, bird watching, tango dancing and adventure motorcycling with her man.
Katrina is a proud lifelong Oregonian who studied Environmental Science and Policy at Southern Oregon University. She has a background in the nonprofit sector, including work with the Girl Scouts and service as an AmeriCorps member. Passionate about sustainability and outdoor gear, she enjoys connecting with the Central Oregon community through her work at Rugged Thread. Outside of work, Katrina loves whitewater rafting, spending time on the water, and being at home with her husband and their two cats.
A lifelong creative with a background in apparel design, Marisabel uses her design experience and sewing skills to carry out thoughtful, detail-oriented repairs. Her appreciation for long-lasting gear is shaped by years spent designing clothing, and now, reworking it. Outside the shop, she enjoys spending time with her family outdoors, skiing, biking, hiking and camping.
Mari and her husband have three children and a wide variety of houseplants. In her free time, she loves to host family celebrations, cook good food, and collect English teacups.
Lauryn is originally from Ashland, Oregon, where she learned to sew from her Great Grandma. She’s always had a passion for creating a wide variety clothing items, using different fabric textures and color combinations. With a background in outdoor education and travel, Lauryn was excited to bring her hands-on creativity into gear repair, combining her love for the outdoors with skilled craftsmanship. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, yoga, and cooking.
