Corn Husk Weaving (IT ‘19)

Definition

After the harvest, once all the maize has been collected and the husks removed, the individual leaflike layers of the husks are separated from each other and laid in a pile to dry. Once this has been completed, small clusters of the layers are selected and neatly laid on top of each other, then woven together in various ways, primarily by forming a mesh from them as one might to create a basket or twisting and braiding them together into one continuous, rope-like structure.
Sometimes, as part of an object’s construction, it may be required to sew sections of maize-husk material together, but regular sewing thread is more than adequate for such a task and no special materials are required.
In the end, this process can be used to create a wide variety of items, ranging from practical baskets to decorative hangings, and is a common part of early winter farm activity in Harvenston and autumn activity on other continents.

Footnotes and Thank-Yous

Many thanks to the various members of the WorldAnvil Discord community who suggested that writing about corn or maize husks may fulfil the “Husky” prompt for Inktober. Without you, I would have been thoroughly stumped, and most likely unable to complete this prompt.
I would also like to thank the many people, both modern and historical, who once did or continue to perform the exact activities described in this article. As it is not a part of my cultural heritage, or if it was it has been forgotten, I would not have even known this process existed without them. Thank you for sharing what you do (or your ancestors once did) with the internet, and thus with me. Your contributions are greatly appreciated.