How to Make Dolls With Corn Husks

Corn husk dolls are a Native American tradition.

Made by Native Americans as both children's toys and elements of spiritual and healing ceremonies, corn husk dolls are an enjoyable craft project for the summertime, when fresh corn is in season. Use green ears of corn, not dried corn, as the husks are more pliable; corn husks create the body and corn silk becomes the hair. Dress your corn husk doll in doll clothes, or paint clothes using watercolors.

Things You'll Need

• 2 ears of corn
• Scissors
• String
• Crayons or markers
• Glue stick or liquid glue

Instructions

1. Peel two ears of green-husked corn, removing the husks. You'll need 9 to 12 intact pieces of husk for each doll. Set aside the silk, which becomes hair once you've made the doll.

2. Pile four pieces together, laying them so the pointy ends all face the same direction. Tie a string around the husks 1 inch from the top, which is the flat end.

3. Trim the nub above the string into an arc shape, using scissors. You're forming the base of the doll's head by cutting the round shape. Turn the piece 180 degrees, so the pointy ends are on top and the end you just cut is on the bottom. Then, fold the pointy ends over the string to create a 3-D rounded head. Tie another string to separate the newly made head from the body.

4. Roll another piece of husk to create a long cigar shape. Tie this into thirds, using string, to create a pair of "arms" for your doll. To attach the arms to the doll, thread the cigar through the dangling husks that form a loose body. Secure the arms by tying another string around the body; this also gives your doll a waist.

5. Place a husk over the top of the arms and fold one side down and across the body, and then the other, to create an X shape that forms the shoulders and bust of your doll. Holding the ends of the husk in place, gather four husks around your doll, with the flat end overlapping the end of the X-shaped husk. You're creating a skirt, so overlap the four husks around the circumference of your doll, using a fifth if you need it (if your husks aren't wide enough.)

6. Tie the waist area with string to secure both the skirt and the shoulders.

7. Color the doll's face with crayons or markers. Make eyes, a nose and a mouth.

8. Organize your corn silk, which becomes the doll's hair. Lay the corn silk flat on your work table and finger-comb out tangles. Spread the hair out in an even layer until you have enough to go around the sides and back of your doll's head.

9. Cover the doll's head with glue from a glue stick or liquid glue container. Use only enough to stick the silk, but not so much -- if working with liquid glue -- that it runs.

10. Pick up the corn silk and press it to the glue patch, covering the sides and back of the doll's face to make hair. Use as much silk as you need to get a thick coat of hair.

Tips & Warnings

• You can tie the skirt into two columns to make legs for your corn husk doll, if you wish.

References

• Native American Life Living Art: Corn Husk Dolls
• Native American Technology and Art: About Cornhusk Dolls

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish