CORNHUSKS DOLLS FOR FUN AND PROFIT

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According to our method, cornhusk dolls are made head first. Select a long, thin piece of husk-(about 1-1/2 by 5 or 6 inches)-and form the ribbon tightly around whatever base you're using. (Don't worry about the uncovered sides of the head . . . they'll be concealed by a bonnet.) Pinch the two free ends together at the neck and tie them firmly with lightweight string. The excess length of shuck should be left trailing below the fastening to help attach the head to the body.

BODY

The doll's body is made from 12 to 15 pieces of husk which are each 2 to 3 inches wide at one end and taper to a point at the other . . . a natural formation that lends itself well to this purpose. Since further covering will be added later, you needn't be concerned about small imperfections in the material.

Pick up the dozen or so chosen pieces by their narrow ends and arrange the tips around the ribbons of shuck that dangle below the head. (Placing the tapered ends at the neck helps to avoid bunchiness there.) Tie the bundle of pointed husks together with string, as far up and close to the head as is compatible with a secure knot. Usually I wrap the string around twice to give me a good tight pull.

You now have a tent-like body of husks tied at the narrow end and topped by a head. Looks awful, doesn't it? Cheer up, it'll get worse before it gets better.

ARMS

Cut a 6-inch piece of wire or pipe cleaner. This one continuous length will form both arms, with a hand at each end.

Place the wire on a piece of husk which measures about 1-1/2 by 6-1/2 inches, and roll the shuck around the metal core. When this step is almost finished, fold the outer ends of the wrapper in over the tips of the wire and then complete the roll. Tie the covering with tan thread (doubled) at the wrists and in the center. There now, that wasn't hard, was it?

SLEEVES

To form the sleeves, you'll take advantage of the cornhusk's natural shape at the point where it was attached to the stalk. Choose a flared piece, not too stiff, about 1-1 /2 inches wide at the narrow "gathered" end, 3-1/2 inches wide at the opposite end, and 2-1/2 inches long. The idea is to fasten this covering around the arm at the wrist, tie it on in the reverse of its final direction, and turn it back to form a puffed effect. (For a "rolled-up-sleeves" look you'd attach the piece at the elbow rather than at the wrist.) This is a tricky maneuver, but accounts for much of the doll's charm.

All set? Place the hand end of the wrapped wire arm on the gathered edge of the sleeve, so that it extends about 1/2 inch onto the piece of husk. Then wrap the "gathers" around the arm with an overlap of no more than 1/2 inch and tie the sleeve tightly at the wrist (with several turns of string and a firm knot).

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