Ah yes, I remember it differently. HFD put in the order for regular Texas Bluebonnet but when the material arrived they quickly realized that the mill had gotten the primary color wrong, substituting a darker shade for the light Bluebonnet color. They decided to use the material anyway and I think they actually got a better look. I've joked about it over the years, but I may have been the one to coin the term "Houston Bluebonnet". I felt that it was a worthy relative to Texas Bluebonnet for those who preferred the darker shade and hoped that it would be popular enough to keep down the volume price for HFD. I'm not sure how much of the current bolt HFD has left but eventually I might like to buy a Houston Bluebonnet kilt, too. You can see the difference in the shades of blue by comparing the wallpaper and the photos on their website.

Being a buddy of Sia Beaton, the spokersperson for the Texas Bluebonnet Tartan, I've heard and read the story of its creation numerous times. My understanding is that the pattern was registered as publicly available for weaving by any mill in any fabric in order that any Texan who wished could obtain it. I've been told that the current "copyright holder" or "registrant" is an inheritor of June McRoberts, the creator, and DESPITE her express wishes uttered during her lifetime is attempting to wring whatever cash he can from the copyright. If the situation continues beyond his lifetime, it might be necessary to repeal this tartan's recognition as a state symbol.

As much as I like Things Celtic, Texas Lone Star is an UGLY tartan and too much like Royal Stewart. I would take the pattern for US Saint Andrews which is based on the colors of the US flag, replace the primary color with a bluebonnet blue, and shift the others (navy blue, red, white, etc) over 1 in the pattern. Viola!