Tessile extends quilts to juveniles

Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 10/28/2002 12:00:00 AM

NEWARK, NJ —

Long known for its wide array of quilts for adults, Tessile has broadened its assortment and is now offering a juvenile quilt line.

The initial line was developed in response to retailers that asked if Tessile manufactured any quilts for kids. The company has replied with two quilts, Shells and Birdhouses, both of which sport a variety of embellishments, including hand-painting, embroidery and appliqué.

"They prompted us to make an offering, so we're testing the market," said Samuel Lam, vp. "We'd like to see how we'll do in this segment."

Shells features outline quilting in the shape of shells and a border wave effect, as well as hand-painting and embroidery. Birdhouses features a more constructed look via hand appliqué and gingham-type hand treatments. Birdhouses, birds and a fence along the border make up the motif. Both quilts are constructed from all cotton with polyester fill and are sourced from China.

The juvenile line is offered not only as open stock but as quilt-in-a-bag sets containing a quilt and a sham. Coordinating decorative pillows also make up the new line.

In addition to twin and full/queen sizes, Tessile is accommodating consumers with bunk beds by offering a bunk size in both patterns. Retail price points for Shells open at $19.99 for a bunk and $39.99 for a twin, while the more constructed Birdhouses starts at $39.99 for a bunk and $59.99 for a twin.

Although only two designs are currently being offered, Towner Lapp, Tessile's national sales manager, said the company has the ability to accommodate the design sense and style of virtually any retailer.

"Kids is a big market," Lapp said. "And with us going on a direct basis, we're much more capable of being able to do these things now than in the past."