When the first glue coating is dry and the underlying shape for the cattail is correct, apply a second, thin coat of glue and coat the miniature cattail with one of the following.
- Commercial Flocking - This is shown on the cattail to the left of the photo. A thin layer of brown flocking was sprinkled over the glued area and then gently pressed into the glue.
- Pulverized Dry Floral Foam - The florists foam was rubbed off a block to make a fine grainy powder, which was then sprinkled over the glue on the cattail section of the wire. When it is completely dry, this will be painted brown.
- Fine Sand - Fine sand is sprinkled on to the glue layer and pressed gently into place. After it is dry it will need to be painted brown.
- Home Made Flocking - Not shown in this photo, but shown on the first and last page of the instructions, is a fuzzy cattail made from home made flocking. This is easiest to make from rayon ribbon, velour, velvet or colored pipe cleaners (fat ones give more fiber). This home made flocking was used to cover the tips of each of the cattails shown here.
To make flocking, shave groups of short fibers from a pipe cleaner or piece of velour or velvet using sharp scissors. If you cannot find the correct color, you can blend colors to make a more suitable mixture. One pipe cleaner or two inches of ribbon will make enough fiber for several cattails. As home made flocking is not quite as fine and uniform as the commercial variety, you may need to trim your cattails after the fiber has set in the glue.
Set the cattails aside to dry.
When dry finish the tops - add a thin coating of glue and attach a thin layer of lighter brown fiber (or powder or sand) to the tip of the cattail above the main rush, and roll it between your fingers to compress it into a thin layer. Older cattails do not need to have this layer of male flowers.