25 Totally Free Natural Materials for Basketry

Kudzu vines like the one Matt harvests for his baskets.
Kudzu vines like the ones Matt harvests for his baskets.
Vines: Harvest in the winter, allow to dry and then rehydrate in boiling water until flexible for weaving.
  • Kudzu
  • Grapevine
  • Japanese Honeysuckle
  • Bittersweet
  • Porcelain Berry
  • Virginia Creeper
  • English Ivy
  • Wisteria
Bark: Harvest in late spring/early summer when tree has fully leafed out. Peel, roll loosely and sun dry.  Rehydrate in boiling water until flexible for weaving.
  • poplar
  • cedar
  • black willow
  • cultivated willow
  • white pine
  • Elm
  • White Birch
  • Mulberry
  • Mimosa
  • Locust
Matt Tommey carrying poplar tree bark through the forest to be used to weave baskets.
Matt carrying Poplar bark he's harvested.
Iris flowers used for basketry weaving. These siberian iris leaves are great for drying and weaving.
Iris flowers like the ones Matt has in his garden. The leaves are great for weaving!
Foliage: Harvest when green, dry and then rehydrate with hot water until flexible for weaving.
  • Siberian Iris 
  • Day Lily
  • Cattails 
  • Grasses & Sedges
  • Maidenhair Fern
  • Long Leaf Pine Needles
  • Palm Inflorescence