Corn Husk Doll Fun

Now that the girls have started school up here in the mountains it has been different not having them home to play and craft with.  When I found out this new school allots them a fall break, one week in October off I was secretly excited to have my craft buddies back.  We spent the week exploring, crafting, cuddling and watching movies.  FABULOUS!!!!

At a yearly festival we used to attend down in Capay Valley the girls have made these cute corn husk dolls, so we decided to give it a try and get extra sassy with it.  This craft is super easy and super inexpensive, seeings how most the things we all already have in our Mom craft arsenal. 

So here we have it, even some pics as inspiration.

What you need:

corn husks (amazon links to the right-------->>>>)

rubber bands (optional, I used yarn and was fine)

yarn whatever color tickles your fancy

hot glue gun

scrap fabric

Any fun crafty stuff you have for embellishments

Sharpie

Soak corn husks in warm water for 30 min to 1 hour before using.  I would prep yarn while waiting.  I cut about 5 inch pieces of yarn, like aaaaalot!  We ended up making 10 dolls from one bag of corn husks, so think while cutting that all the dolls need hair and keep cutting.  I have my 8 year old aid me in this.  Also cut a nice size pile of about 2 inch or so yarn if you don't have rubber bands, they will be used to tie off the doll. 

Strain the corn husks and lay them on a hand towel for use. 

Method:

Have children first make piles of 3 husks, have child grab a bunch of hair and fold it in half.  They will place one husk down and add hair folded part at the top, then cover with next two husks.  About 1 1/2  inches down tie off the husks with rubber band or yarn.  You then flip doll over and pull husks down to expose hair and form a head like shape and tie off again.  See pictures below....   

Once head is tied off child will take a husk and tear into 4's or simply roll a small husk, insert in the middle of husks and slide up to right under first tie.  To secure add another tie to make the doll's torso.  If making boys you can cut at this point down the middle and tie off legs.  After making the dolls we allow for the dolls to almost dry before decorating further, putting them on a cookie sheet out in the sun to dry.

When dry you are ready to give them hair cuts, trim their arms, braid hair, add some fabric to make their dresses fancier.  Whatever you want to make them festive.  We used a sharpie to draw faces, we used scrap fabric to hot glue gun dresses, we used pipe cleaners and also hot glued fake flowers as crowns.  At this point it is up to you where you want to take them.

We tended to go a fall direction with them, but you can make them as bedazzled as you wish.  These are super cute as fall teacher presents.  A fun Thanksgiving favor for the kids at your table, as well as can be made into ornaments if you want to take them in a Holiday direction ( simply hot glue gun yarn in back to use to hang from Christmas tree).

My girls loved making them so much they will continue to be a fall craft staple in our home.

Tread Lightly,

Mel