Directions for Making a Corn Husk Doll

Dried husks can be gathered from corn, or purchased at a craft store.

Corn husk dolls were first made by American Indians, but early American settlers gravitated toward the craft, and people have been making them ever since. These quaint dolls are primarily made now as a decorative item, but children also enjoy making them as a craft activity. Inexpensive and easy to make, corn husk dolls make wonderful gifts as well.

Things You'll Need

• Corn husks
• String
• Scissors
• Bowl
• Markers or paints

Instructions

1. Fill a large bowl with water. Put five corn husks in the water and soak them until you are able to manipulate them.

2. Take the corn husks out of the bowl of water. Separate them, and select four husks that are close to being equal in size and shape. You will use these four husks for the body of your corn husk doll.

3. Lay the four corn husks you selected on top of one another. Line them up so that the pointy ends of the husks are together. Cut a piece of string, and use it to tie the point ends together close to the top.

4. Separate the four husks so that you have two in one hand and two in the other. Fold them down, and join them back together. The string you tied for the pointy ends is now inside, and it creates a rounded top. This will be the top of your doll's head.

5. Use another piece of string to tie around all four husks to make the doll's head. It should be about a half an inch to an inch from the rounded top of the doll.

6. Use another corn husk to make the doll's arms. Lay it flat and trim the ends so they are straight and even. Roll the husk tightly into a tubular shape.

7. Tie a string at each end of the tube. This makes the hands of your corn husk doll. Put the tube through the body of the doll, just below the head.

8. Cut another piece of string to make the waist of the doll. Tie the string just below the arms, so it not only makes the waist, but also holds the arms in place.

9. Select another corn husk to make the shoulders of the corn husk doll. Wrap it around the back of the doll, across the chest, and overlap it in the front. Use a piece of string to fasten it at the waist.

10. Make the legs of your corn husk doll by tearing or cutting the husks below the waist into two sides. Use two small pieces of string to make ankles and form the legs. Don't separate the husks into legs if you want your corn husk doll to have a skirt.

11. Trim any strings that are too long.

12. Decorate the doll or leave it plain. You can use marker or paint to make a face or clothing on your doll.

References

• MI Kids!: Make a Corn Husk Doll
• TeachersFirst: How to Make Corn Husk Dolls