Holiday Planning & Ideas Thanksgiving Thanksgiving Crafts How to Make Corn Husk Dolls Simple corn husk dolls have timeless appeal and are just the thing to keep little hands busy at a family gathering taking place during the fall. By Martha Stewart Editors Martha Stewart Editors An article attributed to "Martha Stewart Editors" indicates when several writers and editors have contributed to an article over the years. These collaborations allow us to provide you with the most accurate, up-to-date, and comprehensive information available.The Martha Stewart team aims to teach and inspire readers daily with tested-until-perfected recipes, creative DIY projects, and elevated home and entertaining ideas. They are experts in their fields who research, create, and test the best ways to help readers design the life they want. The joy is in the doing. Editorial Guidelines Updated on July 6, 2020 The cornucopia can be a bit of an attention hog: proudly spilling its bounty across the dining room in a way that borders on needy. As harvest-time icons go, we much prefer the simple beauty of corn husk dolls: They're understated, easy-to-make children's crafts, and truly ingenious, requiring not much more than some husks, twine, glue, and felt. Square-cut corn husks (the ones used for tamales and sold at international grocers) are the main supply for making these dolls. Basic twine is used to create body parts. What You'll Need Materials Square-cut dried corn husks Wool felt in assorted colors Yarn or raffia Paper towel Buttons Scissors Glue Instructions Start by soaking the husks in water for 10 minutes, and then blot excess water with a paper towel. Lay four or six husks (always an even number) in a stack. Using thin twine, tie husks together, about 1 inch from the top. Separate husks into equal portions (2 and 2, or 3 and 3), and fold halves down, covering twine Using thin twine, tie husks about 1 inch down, creating the head. Roll a single husk and tie at the ends to make arms. Position arms below the knot at neck, between equal portions of husks. Tie waist. For a female doll, trim husks to an even length. For a male doll, separate legs into equal portions. Tie at knees and ankles. Trim evenly. To make the hair, glue the yarn or raffia to the heads. Fashion clothes from pieces of felt: Cut rectangles, and snip slits or X's in the center; then slide over the doll's head, and secure around the waist with a strip of felt or yarn. (Glue on buttons, and use scissors to make fringe as desired.) Create hats and bonnets by cutting felt to fit, and then gluing in place.