I learned to sew at the urging of my mom. She started the Busy Bee's 4-H group in the 70's; we learned cooking and sewing. I still remember how to set a formal table. I thought sewing was difficult and tedious. We started with pin cushions and worked our way to sewing clothes from patterns, so even though I found it frustrating, I learned. Later, I picked it back up like a lifeline. As a hungry adult, I repaired clothes for vintage clothing stores and began to make and sell designs. My first label was called, "Dress To Win Prizes".

I was your typical non-conformist in high school. I experimented with clothes until I found thrift stores, then I was hooked. I loved thrift shopping, anything kitsch. Still do. In college, I would buy old fabric remnants and patterns, come home and make the clothes I couldn't afford in retail stores. Once I desperately needed something to wear. My sewing room was depleted of supplies, but a pile of linens, orange, brown and white, kalidescoped my vision. I picked up a tablecloth, a terry cloth apron of a giant chicken and white eyelet curtains. I thought, "Wouldn't it be funny if I used the apron for the back of the dress, the tablecloth for the skirt, the curtains..." The dress was so weird at the time, it actually freaked me out and I was nervous to wear it. But when I did, people, strangers even, asked me where I got it.

I made two more chicken dresses for myself and a pair for a friend. Finding the pun irresistible, I called the line Housewears. It was December, 1995. I was waitressing and bored, so decided to make three pieces a week. That spring my collection debuted at the now famous, Fremont Sunday Market in Seattle. Luckily, I sold a piece on my very first day. Much happened during the Housewears years: travel, fashion shows, television spots, newspaper articles, even a full-page photo in a Bust magazine fashion editorial. My last big Housewears project was a 2001 calendar and I was in production for my 2002 issue when ....

On February 29, 2001, I was sitting at my desk in my downtown Seattle studio when the chair leaped backward. I ran screaming down the hall and rode out the earthquake with my neighbor, alternately thinking the floor would fall out from under me or the roof would cave in. There was a hole in an exterior wall that looked like Superman broke through it. Our building was immediately red tagged. I moved in with a friend, to a cramped apartment, my things in storage and just fell apart. I cried all the time and couldn't work - for five years. Some people were relocated and working within two weeks. I guess I needed a break.

BettyOatmeal is my phoenix rising. When I decided to pick Housewears up and get back to work, I found that the DIY craze had exploded. Now, many companies called themselves Housewears, but it was just as well. The name was often misspelled and misunderstood. BettyOatmeal is better. I found her name on an antique cardboard box and fell in love. To BettyOatmeal I bring all the benefit of my hindsight, my experience in the indie fashion world, a long break for my artistic maturation and a renewed committment to my work. I feel comfortable saying, my clothes are more beautiful, more interesting and more ironic than ever before and the quality, an outstanding example of superb technical skill. I guarantee my work. My clothes are made to last a lifetime and then some. Look, enjoy, buy with confidence and spread the word. Sincerely, Karen Davisson

Keepsake quality construction leaves no seam unfinished!

I take great pride in and guarantee my work. Please contact me at any time for issues with your purchase and we will work out a mutually satisfying solution from repairs to exchange and discuss shipping costs and reimbursements. This does not in any way admit shoddy workmanship or take responsibility for abnormal wear and tear. I am committed to my customers and feel it imperative to stand by my work.

If you are buying a garment, please measure carefully! I do not want anyone to be disappointed. I will make every effort to make sure your purchase fits by describing my garments in detail and answering any questions you may have. I can not, however, guarantee a fit or make alterations at my end. Get to know your local drycleaner for fine tuning if need arises.

Ready-to-wear orders ship within 2 business days after payment which is also expected within two business days. U.S. orders will be shipped USPS (United States Postal Service) Flat Rate Priority Mail (2-3 days) with delivery confirmation and insurance.

International orders will be shipped USPS First Class, unless otherwise negotiated. There is no tracking with this service. Contact me if you want insurance and tracking for international orders and I will get an estimate. The buyer is responsible for any duties and taxes that may be assessed in customs for your country.

My goal is for you to be extremely satisfied with your purchase. If you purchase an item and upon arrival it does not fit, or is not to your liking, you are welcome to return it for a refund of the purchase price. Returns are accepted within seven days of receipt, with the shipping to be paid by the buyer. There are no returns on custom orders.

Returns for quality issues are considered on a case by case basis. Returns will be accepted for my listing errors or manufacturing defects (ie. sewing came loose, button fell off etc). In this rare instance I will make repairs or refund the purchase price, including shipping.

At this time my prefered method of payment is via PayPal.

Payment is expected at the time of purchase, unless otherwise negotiated. I use individual paypal buttons on each item and provide no shopping cart. To purchase more than one item, contact me for a combined total and I'll send you an invoice.