At Sewing By Fatima, visitors can see owner Fatima Reyes’ creative spirit in the sequined dresses on mannequins decorated with glittery accessories. Reyes said her work ethic and desire to be her own boss led her to start her own tailor shop on Bell Boulevard in Cedar Park five years ago.

“I’ve always been independent,” she said. “I never liked to worked for anyone."

Sewing By Fatima specializes in alterations and dry cleaning and sells an extensive variety of bridal, prom, quinceañera and first communion formal dresses. Reyes said she hopes to have multiple shops open within the next couple of years.

In April Reyes and her three-person crew have been working on last-minute prom dress details that are popular during the spring.

“She conquers everything,” receptionist Sandy Jolly said about the shop’s master tailor.  “She can fix anything.”

Reyes’ work with clothing began as a young adult in the Mexican state of Zacatecas. She began working at a Mattel tailor shop, which needed seamstresses and tailors to make clothing for Barbie dolls. Reyes worked there for eight years where she helped make the tiny, detailed dresses and casual wear for an estimated 13,000 dolls every week.

“It was really easy,” Reyes said.  “We used to make the clothes for Barbie’s kids, Ken, all of them.”

From there, Reyes worked on exclusive clothing lines for Tadashi Shoji in Los Angeles and then managed a tailor shop for Walmart in Mexico with about 80-90 employees.

She moved to Central Texas 10 years ago and said the opportunity and location were a big reason why she opened the shop when she did.   

The spot along Bell across from the H2O Hand Car Wash & Detail allows for high traffic and is visible to potential customers. Customers can also drop off and pick up items on their way to or back from Austin.

Reyes said the spring not only brings flowers to the area, but also more business and some of her favorite dresses to work on.

“Right now the prom is giving us a lot of work; that’s what I like the most,” Reyes said.

Sewing By Fatima 605 N. Bell Blvd., Ste. 103, Cedar Park 512-939-6216 Hours: Mon.-Sat. 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m., closed Sun.