Seasonal Crafts: Corn Husk Doll
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Photo Credit
Margo Letourneau
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In the olden days, people painted faces on corn husk dolls and made them into toys. Here’s how to make your own!
Make a Corn Husk Doll
- Save some fine-grained inner corn husks and store them in a dry place.
- Soak dried husks in warm water to make them easier to handle.
- If you want, dye them with regular fabric dyes (they pick up the color, but slowly).
- For the head, make a ball out of a corn husk, fold two husks over the ball, and tie off for the neck with cotton string or heavy thread.
- Make arms by rolling husks into a tight tube or braiding three husks together, then put the piece through the middle of the doll.
- Make a dress by folding husks over each shoulder and crossing them at waist level.
- Tie the waist with string and cover with a narrow cornhusk.
- Trim the skirt so she can stand up.
- Glue on corn silk for hair, and make a bonnet out of a husk.
Illustration by Margo Letourneau
About The Author
Catherine Boeckmann
Catherine Boeckmann loves nature, stargazing, and gardening so it’s not surprising that she and The Old Farmer’s Almanac found each other. She leads digital content for the Almanac website, and is also a certified master gardener in the state of Indiana.
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