the "Betsy Pant" is BACK

There’s 2 things that I remember exactly where I was when I thought of certain things for my business.

The first one was - When I decided to re-name to Intertwined Designs - It was originally my real name - Elizabeth Cassell Designs. I was driving home to my house on South Pass Rd in "Sumas, WA", I was on Goodwin Rd, and it came to me. 

The 2nd was when I dreamt up the “Bias Pant” - I was walking to a beach that you could access from a friend’s house in Bellingham.

Now this part is a bit hazy (It was around 2003) Had I already made a pair of bias cut pants, and my friend Wendy and I dreamt up adding the pockets, OR, did we dream the whole concept on that walk.

Either way, these pants have been monumental in my sewing career.

I’ll start this blog with the important ordering information first, then you can choose to read more if you want.

1. Ordering

I have all the supplies to create the Betsy Pants, Time is the problem. 

I have 2 trips planned in the next 2-3 months. This time of year is not when I typically release a product, especially one that is time consuming. With the unknown pressure of what the upcoming tariff’s will do to my fabric cost, I’m trying something new.  A pre-sale.

This helps me order all the supplies I need without having to pay a credit card fee on top of it.

I prefer to run my business as a “cash biz” meaning, I have no debt, and I order supplies when I have the money.

Some of you have been asking when I will create again, for almost 8 years now, what’s another 2 months. 😉

The fabric is a 55% Hemp 45% Tencel (Hempcel), a soft linen like material. It has beautiful drape to the fabric, and softens a lot over time. See below for more info on the fabric.

Cutting the pants on the bias creates a small degree of stretch in a woven material. When I designed these, I was very into quilting and where I learned this technique. 

The pants feature a drawstring style waist, tear drop pockets with decorative buttons, and, either a capri or pant length. 

I reinforce the buttonholes for the drawstring to minimize wear and tear, depending on your hips, some have to wiggle these on and off since there’s no zipper. ( 🙋‍♀️ I do )

What makes them sew special? Basically they fit like a yoga pant in comfort, yet, you can wear them professionally since they are a linen like material. The fabric is durable and most of all comfortable.

Of course, the buttons….Why I am having you choose this time around, they are a huge selling point, and with the new cost, it makes sense to me. 

***My Disclaimer***

Your purchase of the Betsy Pants will not be created until end of February - mid April. 

I have a couple trips planned that could delay the shipping date by over a month. (of course could be sooner)

Please acknowledge this before you place your order, Thank you.

Before I start working on your pants, I will send you an email to have you choose buttons for your new pants.

Please include in the notes section of your order, your desired inseam.

If you want to order something other than the Betsy Capri or Pant, please order in a separate order, otherwise that product will ship at the later date as well. PLEASE, please, please, do not create extra work for me on this end.

2. History of the “Betsy Pant”

Wow, where do I start…..

These hands down were my very best selling item for YEARS.

I originally named them the Bias Pant, then many of you fell in love with them, and started referring to them as blissful, so I changed to the Bliss Pant. 

Since many of you know me personally now and call all of your items the Betsy…pant, shirt, hoodie, etc., I am officially re-naming them the Betsy Pant.

I’ve created a ridiculous amount of these pants. Back in the day, when I had access to an amazing fabric dye house, I would order 500 yds. of fabric to get the price break. 

I didn’t look forward to that prep - I had to unroll huge, heavy bolts of fabric, cut into small pieces & serge the ends so it wouldn’t fray in the dye process.

At that time, my cabin was both my house and studio - it would be covered in lint from this process. I would then drive a whole truck load of fabric to Seattle, choose rad colors from their books of options. A week later, it would be ready, and I had enough fabric to create both these and the Drawstring pants for the year.

That business closed down and created a lot of stress for many of us. I then started mailing fabric to be dyed. I quickly realized that was completely unsustainable for financial reasons - I had to pay shipping 3x on the fabric. 

I went back to dying on my own, which never turned out well, and was also unsustainable, I quit making them in 2015. I know this because I found an old blog post on here. 

In 2018, I decided to create the pants again. At the time, my supplier was out of stock of a lot of their colors. I could only get Cloud and Purple.

I created some and then tabled them again due to cost. I also was way too busy sewing other things. The knit yoga pant trend had taken off, and so had my undies.

Many of you have been asking “When you are gonna make the pants again?” - I still get email’s about them, and many walk into my booth, and I never have to ask which pants do you mean. 😉

I used to make both circle and tear drop style pockets out of both the Hempcel & 100% Hemp Linen.

I changed to just tear drop - more flattering on the leg. I also used to offer both a low and mid rise style pant. This trended from - At the time I was in my 20’s & 30’s. I wanted low rise, but all my “middle aged women” customers wanted mid-rise. 

Well, I’m that middle aged woman now, and I’m making the executive decision to only offer mid-rise. It’s way easier for me too. 

I will add, if you are taking the time to read this, and you know, you want the low-rise - just email me and let me know - I still have both patterns.

p.s. - YES, I will bring back the Hemp Drawstring Pant after I get my Betsy Pant orders under control. This is a classic jean like style pant, with 2 front & 2 back pockets that is a unisex style fit. Best seller for the Men for years. 

3. Why NOW

On summer solstice last year, a girlfriend and I skied Mt. Adams, the next morning, she comes down dressed for a work meeting, she’s wearing a Lupine Cowl Tank with a pair of the Bliss Capri’s - she scored them at a clothing exchange. It reminded me of how awesome these pants are. Erin didn’t know me when I originally made them, I told her the story of the pants. 

For whatever reason, that day, I KNEW, I had to make them again. 

Sew, why now…..

With this year being my last Oregon Country Fair, I fully recognize, I have income that needs to be replaced. 

Not doing fair, also will free up quite a bit of time in my life. The main reason why I’m quitting OCF - I want quality of life over chaos and stress.

The next 6-8 months will be a bit chaotic though - trying to create these on top of everything else I need to do to prepare. I plan on being very transparent about the timeline of these pants.

Every order placed could take up to a month to create, even after the next couple month delay.

4. Fabric Info

I copy/pasted this from my suppliers website:

1. What Is HEMPCEL®?

• It combines renewable bio -based natural fibers of hemp with the softness and drape of lyocell.
• Often described as a “soft linen,” HEMPCEL® fabric is both easy to care for and versatile.

2. Unique Features:

• Softness: The blend benefits from the inherent softness of true Hemp & lyocell, making it comfortable to wear.
• Drapability: HEMPCEL® drapes beautifully, lending elegance to various applications.
• Color Absorption: The fabric easily absorbs dye, allowing for vibrant colors.
• Durability: Made to last, HEMPCEL® gets softer with each wash.

3. Applications:

• Apparel: HEMPCEL® is popularly used in clothing. Its unique blend offers a fresh experience for those who wear it.
• Interior Textiles: Consider it for home textiles like curtains, tablecloths, or cushion covers.
• Crafts and Accessories: HEMPCEL® can be transformed into bags, scarves, or other accessories.
• Eco-Friendly: True to its tagline, it’s “MADE on EARTH from EARTH”.

4. Quality and Sustainability:

• Whether you’re seeking eco-conscious fashion or sustainable home textiles, HEMPCEL® offers a blend that’s both earth-friendly and stylish. 🌿🌎

If you've made it this far - 

THANK YOU and big hugs,

Betsy