Josefina’s Cornhusk Doll
Thank you for joining us for our program today. We are so happy that you are here!
For today’s program, we will be making a Cornhusk Doll, a craft brought to us by one of American Girl’s kind and caring characters, Josefina. Josefina’s story takes place in 1824 when New Mexico was still part of Mexico.
Today’s craft can be found in Josefina’s Craft Book: A Look at Crafts from the Past with Projects You Can Make Today. The following directions make one doll. We hope you enjoy Josefina’s Cornhusk Doll.
Materials
10 dried cornhusks (available in most craft stores)
Paper towels
Twine or 3 to 5 rubber bands (tan or brown)
Scissors
Corn silk or yarn for hair (optional)
White glue (optional)
Fine-point permanent felt-tip marker (optional)
Directions
Soak the dried cornhusks in water for about 1 hour, to soften them. Pat them dry with paper towels.
Make a pile of 8 husks. Tie twine or wrap a rubber band tightly around 1 end of the pile, about 1 inch from the end.
Separate the husks by holding 4 husks in each hand, and then pull the long ends apart and back over the twine or rubber band. Push the bunched end up with tier thumb. Wrap twine or a rubber band around the ball that is formed. This is the head.
Make arms by tightly rolling 2 husks together lengthwise. Wrap twine or rubber bands tightly near each end.
Slide the arms through the body, just below the neck.
Wrap and tie twine or a rubber band in a crisscross panther across the doll’s chest and under the arms. This will hold the arms in place.
Use the scissors to trim the bottom of the skirt evenly. Or, make the legs by cutting 1 to 2 inches into the middle of the cornhusk skirt. Then wrap each leg at the ankle, and trim evenly.
If you want to add hair, glue some corn silk or yarn to the top of the doll’s head after the doll is completely dry. You can also draw a face on the doll with a felt-tipped marker.
Did You Know: Corn was a staple, or basic food, in New Mexico? It was prepared and eaten in many different ways. Even the husks were used. Children used them to make dolls and toys, and New Mexican cooks used them as wrappers for tamales, delicious meat pies that were especially popular Christmas treat.
Photo of Josefina’s Cornhusk Doll | 1998 | American Girl, LLC., U.S.