Cattails Against The Cold

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It was then that a Chicago company began to substitute cattail cotton in furni ture cushions and baseballs. Soon afterward, the Navy decided to look into the possibility of using the fuzzy heads of the aquatic weed in life belts and aviation jackets. Sure enough, a wartime water-resistance test demonstrated that-even after 100 hours of submersion-the "swamp down" was capable of maintaining buoyancy. So, cattail fluff (along with milkweed down) was briefly seen as a "war effort resource".

After the shortages ended, however, cattails were once again relegated to their former status of "useless weeds". But even though the valuable plants are still ignored by the world at large, there's no reason you shouldn't take advantage of the free down they produce . . . by gathering the material to fill such items as clothing, comforters, and pillows.

CATTAIL CREATIVITY

There're many sewing kits available (from suppliers of outdoor equipment and fabric shops), which-along with their instructions for cutting and sewing downfilled vests, jackets etc.--will show you how to construct the tubelike channels necessary to prevent the insulation from shifting around in the garment. You'll want to purchase a package that furnishes a pattern only ... rather than pay for the goose down included in some kits.

The author models her first sewing project . . . a warm land attractive) "down" vest that was assembled for a total cost of under $10! Studies during the Second World War proved that cattail fluff can maintain its loft and buoyancy even after 100 hours underwater!

My first cattail-insulated item-a padded vestcost less than $10 to produce, including the cash spent in buying some ripstop nylon material, a zipper, and the pattern kit.My garment is warm, waterproof, and washable .. . and its cattail-fiber filling is almost as compressible as goose down.

And, though I haven't gotten around to sewing one yet, I'm sure that a sleeping bag stuffed with the swamp-produced material would be a viable alternative to one filled with down . . . although such a large project would be time-consuming.

Be sure, when working with cattail fluff, to insert the material into the tubes loosely, making certain that it doesn't clump. Remember, too, to use tight stitches . . . at least 10 per inch. Other than the fact that it requires that you keep those two considerations in mind, sewing downfilled clothing demands about the same needlework skills as does making any other type of garment.

CATTAIL COLLECTING

You'll want to forage your supply of wild cattail insulation on a calm day . . . otherwise, the wind might blow away much of your crop as you try to collect the down. Since the useful plants mature in late summer, the fluff can be gathered from then until early spring. It's best, though, to do your harvesting after a spell of dry weather ... when the spikes are fully dehydrated. Choose only the firm, brown 'tails to put in your collecting sack. The cotton from already exploded blooms is of lesser quality, and discouragingly messy to gather. When you locate a "ripe" stand, snap off the entire sausage-shaped head from each plant . . . and remember always to handle your harvest by the stems to prevent accidentally breaking the seed "parachutes" loose.

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