A resounding endorsement: Bonnie Heather Green

**Alan H** · 24th June 10, 11:21 AM

I recently ordered a kilt for Piper George from Ms. Greene. It's a good story, so bear with me.

Piper George is a MacKay, but has family connections with Holland. So a few years ago, his wife Gwen slipped me a few $$ and I made George a Dutch MacKay 8-yarder for Christmas. He wore it to the Nor Cal Rabble Burns Night that year. Fast forward a couple of summers to June, 2008. The Trabing Fire took Gwen and Georges Home, as it was surrounded by eucalyptus forest. They got out with the animals, the computer, Georges Bagpipes, a couple of pieces of very valuable artwork, and that's about it.

The kilt went up in smoke.

Not long after this nightmare a local friend wove 10 yards of 30-inch wide Dutch MacKay tartan from wool taken from local sheep as a gift. I got this material to replace Georges kilt. What a project!

However, life has changed for me and I'm not cranking out kilts like I was a few years ago. The tartan sat in my study for almost a year. I finally sent it to Kathy Lare, who politely declined to stitch it up into a kilt, as it was not Scottish wool, was not up to her standards, and the selvedge was not a kilting selvedge. While I was disappointed, Ms. Lare was friendly and courteous, even enthusiastic about the special features of the project, she just didn't want to do it herself. She returned my deposit and the material promptly. I knew that Matt Newsome and Barb Tewksbury's waiting lines were many months long but George had waited long enough for his kilt.

I read about a very fine kilt made by Bonnie Heather Greene, for X Marks member, Forrester Modern. After looking over the pictures of the kilt she made, I contacted Ms. Greene. She agreed to take on the project at an entirely reasonable price.

There was a delay of a few weeks, as she and her husband were on vacation, but as soon as she got back, she got right on the job and sent the kilt to me. I presented it to George on Saturday.

I want to say that Bonnie Heather Greene did a FIRST CLASS JOB on Georges kilt. I have made a lot of kilts, including a dozen "traditional" kilts and I was blown away by the craftswomanship that Bonnie put into it. The straps are solid. There's not a stitch to be seen in the pleats. The underapron strap cutout is done impeccably. The hemming is done with miniscule stitches. The lining is done well. Even the basting is precise (I *hate* basting!!) The overall presentation of the kilt, even though it's not "Scottish Worsted Wool" is absolutely first class.

I am EXTREMELY impressed. Bonnie Heather Greene is one heck of a kiltmaker. I'll say it right now, she's a better kiltmaker than I am! I would recommend her work without reservation to anyone.

With luck we'll have pictures soon, but I wanted to get this ringing endorsement of of Bonnie Heather Greene's work up here.

**cessna152towser** · 24th June 10, 11:25 AM

Great story, all's well that ends well.

**Spc. Scott** · 24th June 10, 11:25 AM

That is outstanding! Can't wait to see pictures of it. I'm sure George is one happy man.

**Woot22** · 24th June 10, 11:35 AM

Looking forward to some pics.

**denmcdough** · 24th June 10, 12:38 PM

Good job!! Pics, asap!!!

**ForresterModern** · 24th June 10, 01:24 PM

Alan

You have discovered why I have two Bonnie Heather's in my stable and probably a couple more to come, as soon as I can get the wife to approve the tartan purchase.

Cannot wait to see pictures

Jeff

**tyger** · 25th June 10, 04:33 AM

I have only one Bonnie Heather Greene handsewn kilt, however, it will not be the only one for long! Congratulations on your kilt.

The technical aspect of her work is fine and neat, and her communication with the customer cannot be surpassed.

It is a great thing that we still have several artisans who carry on the traditions of handwork in the fiber, leather, and metal arts.

**Galician** · 2nd July 10, 09:49 PM

As Bonnie is a member of the local rabble, and a fixture at the local Scottish cultural events where she also displays her great talent in Scottish dancing, I'm so pleased to hear her kiltmaking skills highly praised.

**Whidbey78** · 2nd July 10, 10:54 PM

Sir, you go above and beyond! To go to length to get a man a unique kilt after such a loss is a testament to your character and anyone who can call you a friend is a lucky one!

I'm not familiar with the tartan, but looked it up. Those thumbnails do little for me. We all know that some tartans are hard to picture as a kilt, so a few pics would be great.