Things You'll Need

Instructions

1

Begin your Indian corn husk doll by taking ten strands of green corn husks and tying them off approximately half an inch down the length. Cut the long end of the husks so that the strands are even,and 6 to 10 inches long. Some people use dry husks, similar to the husks used to make tamales. Green husks are more pliable and will become yellow over time.
2

Grab the small end of the husks and turn them upside down. The long husks should be covering the tie. Tie again around the previous tie to form the doll's head. Make another tie where the doll's waist will be.
3

Create arms using about five strands of green husks rolled together and tied off at each end. Insert the strands through the chest of the doll directly under where the shoulders will be. If you want to be able to pose the arms, conceal a length of pipe cleaner inside.
4

Give the doll shoulders by crossing husks diagonally over each side of the doll. Tie twine over the waist once again.
5

If the doll is a boy, you will need to divide the husks below the waist into two equal portions for the legs. Use twine to create the hips, knees and ankles. If the doll is a girl, use the remaining twine to create a skirt and tie it around the waist.
6

Create a face. If the doll is intended to represent the style of a particular tribe, be sure that the doll should have a face at all. The Iroquois, for instance, do not give the dolls faces. If you do intend to give it a face, simply cut lips out of felt and glue them onto the face along with wiggle eyes. Glue the desired length of corn silk onto the head to form hair.