Not saying that the coton and maltese hair are similar, but a lot more then yorkies. A yorkies is much more silky in texture, it doesn't fall the same way at all, in fact it fall down a lot heavier as compared to the fluffiness of the malteses legs.
As for your maltese legs, when you are finishing, scissor the pads and around the feet. Take your comb and brush the fur up and outwards and scissor it to shape.