Corn husk dolls are made by folding softened husks and tying them into a head, arms and body. This version uses four or six husks for the body and a separate rolled husk for the arms. Leave the lower husks as a skirt, or divide them to make legs.
Gather your materials
- Clean, dried corn husks
- A bowl of water and a towel
- String or twine and scissors
- Optional yarn for hair, felt or fabric scraps for clothing, and craft glue
Have an adult handle sharp scissors and supervise the tying and decorating. Keep loose string, buttons and other small decorations away from young children. The finished doll is a craft decoration, not a chew toy.
1. Soften the husks
Soak the husks for about ten minutes, then check whether they bend without cracking. Thick or very dry husks may need longer. Blot off excess water so the husks are pliable rather than dripping.
2. Tie the first bundle
Stack four or six husks with their narrow ends together. Tie the stack firmly about an inch from that end. An even number makes this particular folding method easier; other corn-husk doll designs may use different arrangements.
3. Fold and shape the head
Divide the husks into two equal groups. Fold both groups down over the tied end, hiding the knot inside. Smooth the folded husks into a rounded head, then tie around them just below it to form the neck. The broad ends now hang downward to make the body.
4. Add the arms and waist
Roll a separate softened husk lengthwise into a narrow tube. Tie near each end to form wrists, and trim the ends if necessary. Slide this arm piece between the body layers directly below the neck. Tie the body beneath the arms to form a waist and hold them in place.
5. Choose a skirt or legs
For a skirt, spread the lower husks gently and trim the bottom to an even length. Let the shape dry before adding fabric clothing.
Image Source: Martha Stewart
For legs, split the husks below the waist into two bundles. Tie each bundle at the knee and ankle, then trim the ends to make feet. Do not cut upward through the waist tie.
Image Source: Martha Stewart
6. Dry and decorate
Set the doll in an airy place and let the husks dry completely before dressing it or storing it. Turn it if damp areas remain underneath. Damp husks sealed in a container can develop mold.
Add yarn hair or a simple felt shawl if you like, using glue according to its label. Leaving the face plain is also an option. Store the fully dry doll somewhere dry, and discard it if it becomes moldy or damaged.
