Mendoza’s fiber weavings, made of ribbon, bias tape, lace, etc., often gifted to by friends and family, or sourced from her community, were born from a desire to connect with her Cherokee Nation Heritage. Hattie’s great-grandma and namesake was proud of being Cherokee and her homeplace in Oklahoma, but generationally most family stories were lost. While reading books about Cherokee basketry, Mendoza also noticed the ever-growing pile of bias tape in her studio. Deciding to try basketry patterns with what was on hand, she began using the bias tape to make basket weavings affixed to stretcher bars. These are a visual reference of the Cherokee Diaspora: proud of a heritage, while also being influenced by living far away from elders teaching basketry traditions. 

She finds joy in repurposing and stewarding as many objects and fibers as possible. Her great-grandmother saved and used every little thing she could, so she honors family heritage in this way as well. Vintage lace or discontinued matboard samples transform into a monumental tapestry or collage installation; giving both purpose to neglected materials as well as incorporating memories from communities that have shaped her.