New Double Jones--Dutch Friendship Tartan

**ForresterModern** · 2nd January 11, 07:47 AM

For about the last 6 months I have been trying to order and waiting to recieve a large section of 16oz Dutch Frindship Tartan, only available from ordering through their webpage, which is in Dutch, a language I do not speak. My wife being full-blooded first generation Dutch-American of naturalized dutch parents doesn't speak a word of the language except for a couple of recognizable curses so she was no help, and her parents are too old to help much either. Finally, through several emails and phone calls in broken english we got the deal sealed and the tartan ordered, which had to be woven by Lochcarron----seems that the web site does not keep it in stock. Jones, jones jones, two and a half months go by before its arrival, interestingly duty free, directly from Lochcarron. Beautiful fabric---amazing, mesmerizing, like when I first looked upon Maple Leaf or Isle of Skye.

Anyway, I had gotten together with Ron (Riverkilt) on the order as it seems he has some dutch heritage in his lineage and was itching for this particular tartan as well, cut of a length for him and got his on its way to Kathy Lare, and mine on its way to Bonnie Heather Greene. Mine is destined for a tank, with an extra yard and a half sent for my son's first real kilt. Besides the family tartan that was the only one my wife really wanted to see him in, seeing as he is genetically half Dutch and only his surname Scottish border family. But there is more. This also comes from the near finalization of my Foster/Forster geneology, which it seems actually starts in Flanders in the Low Countries back in the 9th Century, where my forebears were Counts of Flanders appointed by the Merovingian kings (Dagobert and all that) for many generations. The Forester name subsequently coming to England and Scotland as a prominent part of William the Conqueror's entourage during the Norman Invasion, which resulted in knighthood and numerous southern Scottish and northern English land grants. The knight stayed and the family fluorished throughout the Borders for centuries (Bamburgh, Atherstone, Corstorphine, Torwood, Stirling regions).

Anyway, to make a long story a wee bit shorter, I am honoring that low country heritage by having Bonnie Heather Greene make matching Dutch Friendship Tartan kilts for my son and myself, which will match a silk scarf my wife has in the same tartan pattern and colors. And I kept an additional nearly 3 yards of tartan for another kilt for the boy when he outgrows this first one, so the tradition can continue.

So after a jones for the tartan, there is now a double jones for the kilts for myself and my boy.

jeff

ps. Bonnie just upgraded her webpage recently to include some testimonials and a photo gallery, that just happen to include some photos of some familiar faces, namely mine and Tyger's. I would recommend anyone else who has some of Bonnie's work to send her photos and your comments for inclusion.

www.bonniekilts.com

j

**BoldHighlander** · 2nd January 11, 10:04 AM

Cool! Can't wait to see it

I recently discovered (2009) a lot of Dutch on my mother's side of the family, including a couple of the founding families of New Amsterdam in colonial days (and by extension distant cousins that included two US presidents by the name of Roosevelt ), and traced them all the way back to the old country. As matter of fact, of all my ethnic backgrounds, its my Dutch ancestors that I've been able to go furthest back on (around 1290 if I recall correctly).

Anyhow, cool stuff, I'll be watching for this one when finished!

**Canuck** · 2nd January 11, 10:23 AM

So now there will be three of us in North America sporting this. Welcome to the fold

**Riverkilt** · 2nd January 11, 10:37 AM

Ahh, my leather kiltmaker, will be FOUR with the lad.

My Dutch lineage comes from John Rhoads, Sr. from Amsterdam b 1781 his son came to Philadelphia (probably to stock up on USA Kilts....)

And my parents are like 13th cousins, both going back to the Alden and Mullins families on the Mayflower. John Alden, the guy who tended the beer on the ship, married Priscilla Mullins. Their son Joseph Alden married Mary Simmons who's grandfather Moses Simmons, Sr. was part of the Mayflower group from Leydon.

So, good reason to wear the tartan with pride.

Kathy has the hard-won fabric and I'm semi-patiently waiting my turn for her to sew up my 12th hand sewn kilt from her. Pics upon arrival ere long.

**longhuntr74** · 2nd January 11, 11:34 AM

Firstly...Jeff...wrong website! Here's the proper link: Bonnie Heather Kilts

Secondly...I'm not in the market for a kilt in the near future, but I would definitely consider getting one of these in the future. I have Dutch ancestry on both sides of my family...most notably on my mother's side. My maternal grandmother was a first generation American with the last name of Leenhouts, both of her parents coming from Holland. On my Paternal Grandmother's side, we have some DeSmith...which is also Dutch. Just thought I'd share! It is an attractive tartan...with nice muted tones.

**ForresterModern** · 2nd January 11, 03:59 PM

Thanks for the folks who spotted my error in the link to her website, which has now been fixed.

Wife loves the DFT for the orange and blue, colors of the Netherlands and the blue of Delph china. Love the mix of blue, orange, tan and that pale green.

My wife and I both love Stella Artois imported beer. Found out through the geneology that, hey, my ancestors were part of the Artois family too! NO wonder we like it so much. I know why I like Scotch, but somebody is going to have to explain to me why I love Bloody Mary's-------DOH! Mary Queen of Scots!! My world is all coming together in alcohol.

j

**BoldHighlander** · 2nd January 11, 04:12 PM

Just curious, does anyone have a photo of Lochcarron's version of this tartan?
I can't seem to find it on their website (or I'm somehow missing it)

**ForresterModern** · 2nd January 11, 04:17 PM

Originally Posted by BoldHighlander

Just curious, does anyone have a photo of Lochcarron's version of this tartan?
I can't seem to find it on their website (or I'm somehow missing it)

The website is:

http://www.dutchfriendshiptartan.eu/

Photos at the middle and bottom of the page are more representative of its appearence in person. Since it is only sold through their website I doubt that Lochcarron lists it, although it is indeed woven by them---I got 4 Lochcarron labels with my section.

j

**BoldHighlander** · 2nd January 11, 04:19 PM

Originally Posted by ForresterModern

The website is:

http://www.dutchfriendshiptartan.eu/

Photos at the middle and bottom of the page are more representative of its appearence in person. Since it is only sold through their website I doubt that Lochcarron lists it, although it is indeed woven by them---I got 4 Lochcarron labels with my section.

j

Thanks!