Corn Husk Doll Tutorial pt2

Hold on, now, this one's a long one!
Today, Mom will show how to make arms and attach them to the head (made in part one) to form the whole upper body.

(if you missed part one, it is here)

Take two (1/2 inch wide) strips and overlap them with the wide sides at the ends. The finished piece will be a couple inches longer than the one strip. This will be the arms, remember they will be wrapped once around the bottom section of the head piece then still be long enough for proper length arms. Tie in middle and both ends.

Take a 1/2 inch thin edge of a husk to finish off the end of the arms. Starting with the wide end fold a little of the end of the husk over the end of the arm then start wrapping up the arm...keep it snug. Tie the end.




Repeat this on the other end.
Sleeves - find two husks that look alike. Note that the husk has a smooth side and a ridged side, always work with the smooth side to the outside of the finished piece this is true also for the bodice and the skirt. Gather the cupped part of the husk, with the smooth side on the inside, around the wrist then tie. Make sure there is a short piece at the end that will stick out for the hand.


Repeat on the other end.


Make sure the husks are wet and soft then carefully pull the husk back toward the center. Carefully smooth the husk around the wrist.


Repeat at the other end:


Fold the arms in half and cut off the excess length from the sleeves. Each side should be cut so the middle two inches of the arm piece do not have sleeve part on them. This center part will be wrapped around the stem of the head piece.


Over lap the sides of the husk to make a sleeve, gather and tie off.


Note the hand sticking out from the sleeve.


Note the space in the middle of the arm. Place the head piece against the center of the arm. Wrap the arm around the stem of the head piece. Make sure that you end with the front of the face where you want it and the arms are about the same lengths.


Carefully hold the head arm combination and start forming the bodice. Tear wide strips of husk and fold them in half. Hold the narrow part of the strip low on the back and bring the husk up over the shoulder and across to form the bodice. Continue to add strips alternating sides.


This shows the beginning of the bodice; it will form an X. If you want her bustier then roll a round pillow that can be placed across the bust area before you start the bodice.


Repeat on other end.




To tie this off roll the edges of the strips to the back and tie tight forming the waist.



There, now your doll has a finished body and tomorrow we'll give her a skirt.

Follow this link to part three

-Jayne