The coffee filters are used
as a collage material with many different steps involved in completing a "kimono". The filters, given to me by over 25 local coffee drinkers, come dried in varying colors, densities, saturations and sizes.

Each filter is brushed clean, emptied of most coffee grounds, ironed flat and painted with a coat of polymer media to protect the surface. I sew different stitches on the tops of each filter to add texture, color and strength to the final piece. Each cleaned, coated and stitched filter is laid onto a kimono form, which has been cut out from interfacing and has been covered on one side with unused flat basket coffee filters. On these round basket filters I print abstract patterns with a photocopy machine to give a different color and texture to the inside of the kimono. Laying each stained coffee filter onto the kimono form in a unique and attractive pattern involves much measuring and time, but once configured, I can set each piece down permanently with a hot glue gun. The visible threads at the ends of each filter are stitched through the three layers, knotted, and then dabbed with a small amount of polymer media. To embellish certain seams or filter patterns, I often add gold or silver leafing, buttons or staples directly to the filters. Once completed, each kimono takes on a unique shape, style and tone, that is always very different from the last one.