How do I tell paper fibre rush seats from natural cattail or bulrush?
Turn the chair over and look at the bottom of the seat. Twisted paper fibre is made in one continuous strand, so the weaving is smooth on the bottom with possibly an occasional knot or two. The strands can also be unraveled since it is twisted paper. Typically the strands of cattail leaves or bulrush ends are joined in the corners, so the butt ends usually hang down about a 1/4″ on the underside at the “X”. The cattail leaves and bulrush look a little like grass and are twisted together using several strands to get the rope-like appearance. And like a dried grass, they will crack and break when unraveled.
