A closer look at the hands behind our flannel in Johnson, Vermont

If you come into Johnson, Vermont from the back roads, you’ll pass open fields, the Lamoille River, and a stretch of town that feels steady and lived-in.

It’s quiet in the way small towns are, until you step inside the factory.

Upstairs, there’s the sound of machines running, fabric moving across tables, and the rhythm of work that doesn’t rush. This is one of the places where our flannel clothing takes shape: cut, stitched, and checked by people who know what to look for.

Jolene L. has been part of that work for more than five years. As Production Lead, she helps guide each piece through the floor, from first cut to finished product. If you’ve worn our flannel, you’ve felt the result of that kind of attention. Here’s a look at her day-to-day, in her own words.

What’s your role here, and what does a day on the production floor look like for you?

I’m the Johnson Production Lead. I oversee the cutting and stitching teams. On any given day, I might do some or all of the following: sewing on pants as part of the stitching team, computer stuff like making cut tickets, TOs, etc, quality control, packing and shipping finished products to the retail stores. I also help out in the retail store.

How long have you been working at Vermont Flannel?

A little over 5 years.

How did you find your way into this kind of work?

I was making a career change from the education world. I learned to sew as a kid and worked as a home sewer for a local quilt shop when I was a stay-at-home mom. When I was job hunting, there was a position open at Vermont Flannel production.

What’s one part of your job you take the most pride in?

When I’m in the retail store and can tell the customer that the pants they’re buying were made just upstairs from where they’re standing. They always seem surprised and pleased.

What’s something about your job that people might not expect?

There’s so much lint!

What do you look for when you can tell something’s been made the right way?

In a quality flannel garment, the stripes in the plaid line up across the seams. Otherwise, everything just looks the way it’s supposed to—no weird wrinkles or puckers, no random threads. Everything just looks right.

Outside of work, what keeps you busy? What does a good day off look like for you?

A good day off could look like several things: going for a walk or hike, reading a book with a cat on my lap, spending time with family, or even just having time to enjoy an extra cup of tea.

When someone pulls on one of our flannels, what do you hope they feel?

I hope someone feels comfortable when they pull on one of our flannels. I hope they appreciate the quality and that it’s made here in the USA and they come back for more.

What is your favorite product?

I love to wear our Women's Classic Button Down.

Shop Flannel Shirts

What are you working on right now?

In the photos, I'm working on the rises, which is the first step in making the lounge pants. I'm lining up the stripes. The pattern is Neutral Shadow, a limited edition coming soon.

Please tell us about your cool earrings!

My earrings are Found and Feral, a VT company. I believe we will be adding some of their pieces to our Vermont Gift Shop on the website soon.

This is American-made

There’s a lot that goes into a well-made flannel, but most of it comes down to care: how it’s cut, how it’s sewn, and the people behind it.

That’s what you’re getting when you choose Vermont Flannel. Not just a flannel shirt or a pair of lounge pants, but something made with intention, right here in the USA, built to last and feel better over time.

If you’re looking for a flannel that holds up and feels right from the start, you’ll find it here.

Take a look at our latest styles when you’re ready.

And if you noticed Jolene’s earrings, similar styles will soon be available in our Vermont Gift Shop, alongside a small selection of goods made by other makers we believe in.

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