Corn Husk Dolls

Corn Husk Dolls

We wanted to make some fun crafts/decorations for Thanksgiving.  I remembered my fourth grade teacher, Mr. Olsen, teaching us how to make Corn Husk dolls, and thought the kids would like it.  They loved it!

You will need a twine/rope and a package of Corn husks (found in the Mexican food section of your local grocery store, used for making tamales). 

Soak corn husks in water for a few hours or overnight.

Separate your corn husks into similar sizes and shapes.

Pick two nice, not torn, long, wide ones.

 Put them on top of each other and tie them off on the skinny side about an inch or two down.

Turn the corn husks inside out where you tied them together.

Tie off the the section you just flipped.  This will become the head.  If it is too thin, you can add a little chunk of corn husk and stuff it.

Grab a piece that wasn't good for the body and roll it.  Tie each end off with the twine.

This will make your arms.

Lift the top corn husk under the tied off head.  Place arms tightly against the head between the two corn husks.

Tie off he two husks under the arms.

Grab two skinnier corn husks.

Cross these two skinny pieces behind the doll.

Fold the skinny pieces over the top of the doll.

After you've folded both pieces over the shoulder, tie them off with twine making a shirt.

Trim any longer pieces off your doll.

If your doll won't stand you can tie her around a small cup to dry and harden.

The girls wanted to make a family.  They twisted and rolled a corn husk and tied it off to make a baby.  They made smaller dolls to make children.

To make a boy corn husk doll, just cut up the middle of the skirt and tie off the feet with twine.

Perfect craft and decoration for Thanksgiving, Fourth of July, Columbus Day or Pioneer Day!

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