raw materials

Any fibrous material which is abundant can be used to make fibre shapes. The finer any material is prepared helps it to be manipulated into shapes.
This is why meadow hay (fodder) is so good.
Other materials which work well when shredded are any sorts of grasses, corn husks, banana palm, nasturtians, palm leaves amongst many others.
Let us look at fodder in detail. Its a pasture grass, rye grass, often mixed with some clover. At summers start the grass is mowed and baled, bound up with heavy string.
it is then intended to be stored as a stock food for the coming year.
If there has been low rainfall then fodder is not so abundant.
So early summer is the best time to find some bales and then store them in a very dry place, off the ground.
When it is time to start making with the grass then put a bale inside two large plastic garbage bags. This helps keep the material contained once the string is cut. On completion of working the bag is closed up ready for next time.
Good fodder contains no prickles and should be soft to handle. If clover is mixed with the rye then that falls out as the stitching is done.
One bale is sufficient to make many pieces of work, but it could also be used entirely on one piece. As the price per bale is quite modest, l(ess that $10). then best to source a couple when you can. Fodder is straw cover for the garden so nothing is wasted.
Working outdoors is best as grass fragments are scattered everywhere, even to place a large plastic sheet down and sit on that is wise.
If a group of people are working from the same bale then a sitting circle with the bale in the centreworks well and creates a special atmosphere.
Fodder can be dampened slightly or not at all. A very quick 5 second spray with the hose is sufficient to dampen down the stitckiness of the fibres.
Whe the session is complete then works in progress can be placed in plastic bag or out of harms way at least, needle put safely away and unused fodder rolled into plastic sheeting.
(Remember animals enjoy chewing up hand made objects particulalry if they smell nice and familar.)

Corn husks are an ideal fibre. The leaf shape can be shredded and twisted then stitched with a strong thread just as any other material. They can also be dyed with plants,or drawn and embroidered on. Husks store well and can be saved and collected until sufficient to make something. They also need to be slightly dampened before use.
The trunk of banana palms dries out in layers. These layers become soft and pliable once the water within their structure has evaporated.
The long sheets of fibre can be carefully stripped and then again slightly dampened and used.
Nasturtian vines are pulled from the ground when still green and flowering. The vine is hung to dry and when almost dried out can be dampened, twisted and used.

The grass in this photo is not fodder of cours. It is spinifex (triodia) which grows abundantly across inland Australia.
Its growth pattern is inspiring for basketry shapes.