repurposed flannel shirts Archives - Franklin Flannels

repurposed flannel shirts

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Why Your Vintage Flannel Shirt is a Treasure

Your flannel shirt is a treasure for multiple reasons, and your Franklin Flannels shirt is the best treasure of all. In our crazy, busy world, we forget to stop and focus on the little things.

 

Think about this. How many times have you held a dollar bill in your hands? But, have you ever actually held a dollar and imagined everywhere the dollar bill has been and everywhere it will be going? Think about the people who have held the same dollar bill in their hands and what they have used it for.

The bill may find its way into the hands of a mother who needs one more dollar to buy food for her children.  Was it donated as part of an offering? One simple dollar bill can make a world of difference to a homeless man? It could be the very first dollar saved by someone to purchase a car. The possibilities are endless. When you stop and really think about it, the value of a single dollar bill increases tenfold.

Think About the Treasure Within the Shirt

So it goes with your vintage flannel shirt. When the Fed Ex truck pulls up and delivers thousands of flannel shirts, we always wonder, “Where have they been? How many miles have they traveled before finding their way to our warehouse? Who owned the shirt?”

You know that Franklin Flannels are artistically treated – one at a time. We never mass produce anything. No two shirts are alike, because you are unique; plus they smell amazing and are super soft. But how many times have you stopped to think about the treasure that lies within your shirt?

Take a moment and imagine that your Franklin Flannels’ shirt was worn by a cowboy herding cattle in Texas; or  that it was a farmer’s favorite shirt while tending his farm; or a surfer wore it along the Pacific Coast as the sun was setting; or it traveled the world with an adventurer who loved the comfort a simple flannel shirt. Maybe it was layered in the dead of winter to keep its owner warm. How many cities has it visited and how many road trips has it known? Think of the stories that may be rooted in your vintage Franklin Flannels’ shirt and you’ll find that it really is a true treasure.

What stories will you write with your life and your Franklin Flannels? What memories will you create? We’d love to hear your story in the comments below.

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Let’s face it…there might be more than eight reasons why flannel is perfect year round, but for today…eight reasons will do.

A soft faded vintage flannel is actually a year round essential and, in our very humble opinion, we believe that one is never enough. If you crave comfort and can’t wait to shed your corporate attire after a long day, then soft, vintage flannel is perfect for you. If, you never have to dress in corporate wear, then flannel might be a part of your daily wardrobe. Whatever suits your lifestyle, flannel should be a part of it.

Eight Reasons Why Flannel is Perfect Year Round

1. Flannel is 100% cotton, which means it breathes. Depending upon the weight. and flannel comes in about 50 different weights, it’s the perfect fabric year round. Lightweight in spring and summer and heavier in the winter, you can wear flannel alone or layer it over t-shirts or a thermal. Too hot for summer you say? How about removing the sleeves and wearing it as a beach cover-up?

2. Let’s face it – flannel has been in style since clothes were created. Have you ever not seen flannel on display year in and year out?

3. Even high fashion designers like Ralph Lauren and Gucci (just to name a few) have created flannel shirts.

4. Sometimes, depending upon where you live (like Franklin, Tennessee), it’s easy to forget that not everyone suffers from heat and humidity. Oodles of states and regions of the USA and around the world, stay cool year round. Think flannel as part of your travel wardrobe to cooler climates.

5. Anyone of any age can wear flannel, oversized and slouchy or fitted and tucked. It’s your call because flannel is so versatile. We often see flannel with jeans and boots, but how about a flannel shirt with a tulle skirt? Think princess meets country and it’s so good.

6. Do you know how many different plaids, styles and color there are of flannel? We don’t either, but we can promise there are more than you can imagine or ever wear. Flannel literally comes in every color of the rainbow and thus, it goes with everything!

7. Flannel is soft and Franklin Flannels are the softest shirts you’ll ever own. And…who doesn’t love softness?

8. Flannel is not just for wearing. Think flannel sheets – flannel table cloths – flannel table runners (like these woven with alpaca) – flannel scarves – flannel headbands – flannel caps…FLANNEL is perfect Year Round!

We want to hear from you. Tell us why you love flannel and share more reasons why it’s a year round staple for any closet.

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Just the other day we received another HUGE delivery of flannels. For us, delivery days are like Christmas, but my Fed Ex gal must groan when she sees the boxes show up. It’s a lot and they’re heavy. But I digress…As I was upacking the 14 boxes all filled with vintage flannel shirts, I started thinking about them differently, and in so doing, I realized that each flannel shirt comes to us with a story. [Read more…] about Your Shirt Has a Story

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I have a funky little birdhouse in my backyard that is now home to a family of chickadees and even though I’ve not yet seen the babies, I’ve fallen in love from afar. I find myself spending more time outside than in my office working, but I have to say that I’ve learned lessons from chickadees.

I never had much of an affinity for birds, because in Los Angeles, there wasn’t a very big bird variety, but since moving to Franklin, TN, I’ve discovered song birds and they are quite something to behold. [Read more…] about Lessons Learned from Chickadees

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Can we all agree that moving across the country is kind of a big deal? Yes? Good, because it is.

Uprooting your entire life and heading out like a band of gypsies is not the norm. I get asked a lot of questions about our move and I know no one really wants to know the long answer.

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So usually I say that I was ready for a big life change. And honestly that doesn’t make much sense to anyone either, because who just ups and moves without any family, friends or jobs? It sounds kind of crazy.

I’m pretty sure it was a God thing, but that’s another story.

Recently I posted something on my Facebook page and I was asked this question by a California girl who also has an itch to move.

“I love your posts! I am in So Cal ( lifelong) and wonder how long it took you to acclimate to the weather there? It sounds like “home” to me!”

Now this is a very legitimate question because most everyone knows that Southern California has some pretty perfect weather.

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As I reflect on the last 3 1/2 years, what I can tell you is that it takes time to feel settled. I’m a settler and a nester and this has been the biggest challenge for me. D & I were talking the other day about how it’s taken us this long to really feel like this is home…like we belong. We made a few tiny improvements to the house that have needed repair since we moved in…but for some reason we didn’t feel settled enough to make things happen. Settling takes time.

But back to the question about weather…it didn’t take me long to adjust but that’s because I was craving change and I wanted to experience four seasons and Franklin, Tennessee offered just that, only seasons here aren’t too radical. Naturally, spring and fall our my favorites by a long shot and this year we’re having a glorious, magnificent spring!

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Winter is kind of dreary but it’s perfect Franklin Flannels weather. Here’s what winter has taught me. Even on the darkest, dampest days in mid-winter there is always beauty somewhere and certainly there is the promise of spring.

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As I watch my garden come back to life and the birds making their nests in my birdhouses…I’m reminded that I am in awe of nature.

And can I just also say that my winter wardrobe is pretty cute. Jeans, flannels, sweaters and boots make me a happy girl.

I am not a huge fan of summer but I wasn’t a fan in Los Angeles either. I don’t love the heat and YES…it is humid here. Period. End of conversation.

But with summer humidity comes outdoor concerts with fireflies dancing around you…cookouts with friends…floating down the river doing nothing and the truth is…I’m not the only sweaty person!

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If you’re thinking of moving to Middle Tennessee or Franklin, I have a few tips for you.

You might want to take your time. We didn’t and I would recommend you do. Come visit and figure out exactly where you want to live.

Come several times during different seasons. Be advised it rains a lot here. You’ll need to get used to that.

Find yourself a great realtor – one who really listens to you, understands your heart and will look for houses even if you’re not here.

Before moving, make a list of what you’re wanting from this move. Make your list big and specific. We didn’t do this. I just feel in love with Franklin and somehow…some way…I trusted that we were going to be okay.

I don’t think we did it right. It all happened too fast and we had some messes along the way. I don’t want that for you.

You have to know this great country of ours has huge regional differences. You can’t move from California or New York and expect things to be the same. You’ll miss some stuff that you took for granted. Find a trade-off.

You’ll be challenged in ways you never dreamed possible, but you’ll be okay. You’ll find your way, because if you decide to move just because you’re an adventurer…you’re on a mission… or you’re going for it – I like you already. 

We give vintage flannel shirts a second chance by artistically reverse dying and softening them one shirt at a time.

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