Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Bailey Reber. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Bailey, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

While I love designing costumes and custom clothing for my clients, I started creating t-shirt blankets in 2022 due to a friend asking if it was something that I was capable of. These types of projects are a massive hit with my clients and everything kind of exploded from there. Not long after completing my very first t-shirt blanket, an old friend from high school reached out and asked if I would be able to create two t-shirt blankets for her using her everyday clothing that her grandma, who had recently passed, wore. I am always up for a challenge, and this project particularly caught my attention as she planned to give these blankets to her grandpa and uncle as a way to help them preserve the memory of her grandma. I was very close with my grandparents, so I understand the pain of this type of loss as well as the desire to preserve their memory. In the past, I’d actually made some pillows out of my grandpa’s old t-shirts as gifts to my dad and uncle, so I felt connected to this project on a very deep level. She was blown away with the finished blankets! She later told me that her grandpa had tears in his eyes upon receiving this precious gift, and that my choice to include her grandma’s favorite nightgown was the icing on the cake of this already-meaningful gift. Projects like these warm my heart and are why I love doing what I do.

Bailey, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’ve been sewing since I was 10 years old and started making my own clothing by the time I reached high school. I actually got my start with making my own clothing because I wanted to wear things that no one else could have, and the best way to do this was to make them myself. I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit and back then, some of my fellow classmates paid me to make them skirts, which I was known for at the time.

Nowadays, I do freelance fashion design work alongside premade items that I sell in my Etsy Shop, Bailey’s Way Designs, while I attend courses in the Fashion Design program at Houston Community College. I’m best known for creating customized costumes, formal wear and, of course, t-shirt blankets. My creativity, ability to think outside of the box and talent for design are why my clients choose me for their design needs. Additionally, my listening skills and desire to truly understand what my clients want makes me their number one choice for custom work. I love taking my clients’ ideas to a level that they didn’t think was possible and exceeding their expectations. The reviews on my Facebook page speak for themselves.

The project that I’m most proud of is the Madonna Cone Corset that I replicated for a client to wear to his Madonna-themed birthday party. He was blown away with my attention to detail and that it not only fit like a glove, but that I went above and beyond to replicate this iconic garment. The excitement and sheer joy that my creation brought to this client is why I’m working towards making fashion design my full-time career.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I love putting a smile on someone else’s face just as much as I love being creative with fabric. Getting to do both at the same time? A dream come true! This is what’s driven me to continue to take on new projects, new clients and learn as much as I can along the way. More often than not, when a client comes to me with an idea, they’re asking me to create something that I’ve never done before. As an Enneagram 8, I love taking on a new challenge, especially if it means that I’ll get to be creative while designing a garment that will bring joy to someone else.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

Networking, networking, networking. I can’t say this enough! While social media is a great way to build a reputation, what I do requires fittings, meaning that my clientele must be local. The majority of my clients have been people that I’ve met throughout my years of living in Houston or people who’ve been referred to me by someone who knows me. I’ve built many strong relationships with people who trust me, making me a solid choice of recommendation for those needing a creative garment but unsure of where to turn.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://whatisheybailsdoing.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/baileyswaydesigns/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/baileyswaydesigns/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/baileyreber/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisheybailsdoing
• Other: Etsy Shop: https://baileyswaydesigns.etsy.com

Image Credits
1. Darrell Williams of 713 Photo Focus
2. Nick Tsakiris of Protography Studios