THANKSGIVING CRAFT Cornhusk dolls make a fun holiday project

The project is one that can be enjoyed by all ages.
By DEBBIE STAPLEY
SCRIPPS HOWARD
One of the first crafts I can remember making as a youngster was a cornhusk doll. Actually, I made several of them. After my first one, I just couldn't stop myself and made an entire cornhusk family.
Making these dolls is fun for all ages and a grouping of them, all different sizes, would make a wonderful fall decoration or Thanksgiving centerpiece.
Materials needed are:
UCorn husks (grocery stores or craft stores)
UGlycerin (sometimes needed)
USmall plastic foam ball (about 1 inch for an adult doll)
UCotton balls
UWire
UPliers
UPins
UGlue
Step 1: Soak husks in warm water for about a half hour or until soft. If your husks are particularly thick, you may need to add a few drops of glycerin to the water.
Step 2: Make the head by wrapping thread around the middle of a damp husk that is at least 3 inches wide. Wrap the Styrofoam ball with the thread-wrapped husk, by placing the middle of the husk on the ball and wrapping first one side of the husk around the ball and then the other. Then, tie the husks together with thread, creating the doll's neck. Insert two pieces of 11-inch long wire into the head, through the neck.
Step 3: Make the arms by cutting a piece of wire (an old coat hanger works great) into an 11-inch length. With a pair of pliers, bend the ends of the wire into small "mittens" and wrap the mittens with small strips of corn husk. Tie in place with thread.
Step 4: Form the sleeves by gathering the ends of two husks around each hand, with the bulk of the husks shooting out beyond the hands and tie in place with thread. Pull the husks back toward the middle of the wire and tie in place with thread. Then attach to the body with thread by the neck.
Step 5: Create a chest by placing some crinkled-up paper towel or cotton balls in the middle of another husk. Fold over the husk and wrap with thread, creating some padding, which you will then tie to the chest area of your doll with thread.
Step 6: Rip several 3-inch to 4-inch strips of husk and wrap them around the chest from front to back, over the shoulders (diagonally works best). Tie husks with thread at the waist.
Step 7: Make the pants by choosing two husks per pant leg. Attach them to the waist the same way you attached the husks to the hands for the sleeves. Start at the waist, tie on two husks, then tie on the next two husks at the waist.
Step 8: Bend the ends of the leg wires to make feet and cover them with corn husk strips as you did for the hands. Then, fold the husks over, two at a time to create each pant leg and tie off at the ankles.
Step 9: Rip some thin strips to wrap around the raw edges of the pant legs and glue in place. You'll need to use dry husks for this.
To further embellish your doll, try adding a scarf around the neck (or head for a woman), tying a scarf around the neck, making a hat, using the corn silk as hair on the head, or tying many husks to the waist and instead of creating pants, fold over the husks and make a skirt. The possibilities are endless.