You can use hair, such as horsehair from a horse’s mane or tail, human hair, or other animal hair, available at sporting good stores for fly-tying. Plant materials such as tree needles, grasses, or straw also work well. [1] X Research source Larger fibrous plants like yucca or cattail stems can also be shredded to create bristles. You can also use household items such as pieces of foam, cardboard, cotton clumps, shredded strips of cloth, broom bristles etc. [2] X Research source Craft materials like yarn, pom poms, or crepe paper can also work as bristles. [3] X Research source
For a more professional and finished look, you can use doweling. If you are using string, yarn, or some other material with long fibers for your bristles, you can pull your bristles through a wide plastic straw. If you are using small items like pom poms or cosmetic wedges for the head of your brush, or if you aren’t concerned about your brush being precise or lasting a long time, a quick shortcut is to just clip your brush material into clothes pins, and use the clothes pin as a handle. This is a great approach for young children. [4] X Research source
For a durable, long lasting brush, use a strong, waterproof glue. For binding the bristles to the handle, there are many different materials you can use, including string, twine, elastic, rubber bands, or wire. [6] X Research source [7] X Research source [8] X Research source
If you aren’t concerned about creating a long-lasting brush, you can skip the glue and just affix your bristles with your binding material.
You can vary the thickness of your brush by applying more or less of your bristle material. [10] X Research source
Make sure the binding is tight so your bristles do not slip out, especially if you aren’t using glue. [11] X Research source You may want to add more glue over the top of your binding to create a stronger, more durable brush. [12] X Research source
For a more precise brush, cut the bristles around the outside a little shorter than those in the center, so the bristles come to something of a point. [14] X Research source
