Editor’s note: This feature is the fourth in Startland News’ five-part holiday gift guide showcasing Kansas City makers and their products. Check out the featured maker below, then keep reading for five gift ideas to get started.
Adam Worrel’s favorite Christmas gift as a child actually foreshadowed his life to come.
One year, the Hewn and Southwind Press owner received an island-themed Lego set — which he remembers being called “Big Kahuna” or something similar — more than a decade before he moved to Hawaii.
“Maybe that had some influence,” he joked. “Me and my brother just spent hours building that one. We kept really busy with that, just recreating it and having lots of different options with that.”
The Olathe native moved to Hawaii with his wife after college and started a screen printing business. Then in 2020, they moved back to his hometown — where he launched Southwind Press in May 2021 after the pandemic shuttered his business in Hawaii.
In August, he launched his Hewn sewing shop and Southwind apparel line under Southwind Press. Everything from design and pattern making to cutting and sewing will be done in-house, Worrel said.
Click here to read more about the origins of Hewn.
When in Hawaii for the holidays, Worrel especially missed the lights on the Country Club Plaza and the possibility of a white Christmas, he said.
“Putting up a Christmas tree in tropical weather, it just never quite felt right,” he explained.
Worrel also didn’t get to watch many Kansas City Chiefs games on TV from the islands.
“A lot of times the time change just didn’t line up well for games,” he continued. “They were either on way too early in the morning or vice versa.”
He’s glad to be home and plugged back in — especially with Kansas City’s recent sports success — something that was lacking when he was growing up in the metro, Worrel said.
“It’s a totally different vibe in the city, for sure,” he added.
Click here to check out more gift ideas from Kansas City makers.
5 gifts for the KC sports fans on your ‘nice’ list
Southwind KC Long-sleeved Tees — $48, Hoodies —56
This is a perfect gift for the fan who just wants a pocket-sized amount of Chiefs flair. The triple-stitched subtle yet stylish tees are made of cotton grown and milled in the U.S. and designed and sewn right here in KC. If you’re looking for a little more warmth, long-sleeved tees will be available online by next week.
Click here to shop Southwind online.
Sandlot KC Current Hats — $29.99-$39.99
Teal is rising in KC, so celebrate the city’s newest team and its national championship berth with the only hat cut and sewn right here in Kansas City.
Available at Made in KC, Westside Storey, and The Bunker. Click here to shop Sandlot Goods online.
Cleary Lane KC necklace and stud earrings — $16 and $12
These simple, yet stylish, wooden stud earrings pair perfectly with any royal blue outfit and are a great gift for the jewelry-loving Royals fan in your life. They are also available in Chiefs styles. The KC heart necklace works well for any game day — Royals, Chiefs, Sporting, or Current.
Available at Made in KC. Click here to shop Clearly Lane online.
Dave Keith KU National Championship Print — $30
What KU fan wouldn’t want to find this under the Christmas tree? The smile on their face will be as bright as KC’s-own Ochai Agbaji when he hoisted the national championship trophy.
Available at Made in KC. Click here to find it online.
GOEX Apparel World Cup 2026 tee — $25
Perfect for any KC futbol fan as they eagerly await the world’s largest sporting event to make its way to KC. GOEX Apparel — owned by parent company Global Orphan Project — prides itself on fair trade and eco-friendly tees.
Click here to shop GOEX Apparel online.
More ideas from the 2022 Gift Guide
5 gifts for people who are always cold
5 gifts for someone who needs a little self-care — even if that’s you
5 gifts supporting creators of Color in KC
5 gifts made locally that don’t scream ‘Kansas City’
This story is possible thanks to support from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, a private, nonpartisan foundation that works together with communities in education and entrepreneurship to create uncommon solutions and empower people to shape their futures and be successful.
For more information, visit www.kauffman.org and connect at www.twitter.com/kauffmanfdn and www.facebook.com/kauffmanfdn
