MICHIGAN – December 2016 – Tandem For Two, LLC announces that the company will launch it’s own fabric line, designed in-house and printed exclusively in West Michigan.
Prior to this move, the company utilized US manufactured fabric for their pillow backs. This fabric became increasingly available to the public and the supply became inconsistent and patterns too common. In the interest of keeping her pillows distinct, Tandem For Two’s owner and creative director, Jennifer Smelker began to research the idea of printing her own fabric.
Additionally, due to the increasing popularity of her custom pillows, improving production efficiency was also an important factor. Tandem For Two started offering pillows in June 2014 and in one year Smelker had sewn over 1000 pillows by herself at her kitchen counter. She hired an additional seamstress and they have created and sold a total of over 5600 pillows to date. “In order to keep up with demand, I needed to develop a more efficient way of piecing together and sewing our pillows,” Smelker said.
Customers and retailers had also voiced their preference for removable and washable pillowcases instead of the sewn shut pillows the company had been producing. Taking all these factors into consideration, Smelker developed a completely custom process in which the designs on the pillow front and the selected pattern and color on the back is printed simultaneously. Customers have the ability to select their preferred pattern and color to match their décor and to coordinate with the state and town designs. Tandem For Two designs focus on celebrating all the great things to experience in each state and town. Designs feature a bucket list that includes the locally favorite things to do, loved foods, and places not to miss.
Smelker had been sewing since a young age, but didn’t set out to be a fabric designer. “It’s exciting to see my own designs in print and I’m thrilled that we can print our own fabric locally and contribute to the great manufacturing tradition here in West Michigan.”
Tandem For Two is a handmade home goods company that celebrates the communities we live and create our products in. We gladly provide jobs to the underemployed, putting their talents to a purpose. Every year, 10% of our profits are given back to our communities, particularly those communities torn apart by natural disasters, refugees fleeing from their communities or those living without a place to call home. Headquartered in Grand Haven, Michigan, Tandem For Two, LLC is a women-owned business established in May 2013 by it’s founder and creative director, Jennifer M. Smelker. Since that time, Tandem For Two has grown from one postcard design offered in a single store to 8 design lines, a total of 21 handmade home good and stationery products sold in over 150 boutique and departments stores in 8 states. For more information, please visit www.tandemfortwo.com