30 Minutes with Workroom Tech: Episode 71, The 2023 Pick-A-Project Challenge!

On this episode of The Sew Much More Podcast: 30 Minutes with Workroom Tech, Ceil DiGuglielmo, Laurie Medford and Susan Woodcock talk about all the projects they have saved over the years to "try".... but they never found the time. This is the inspiration for the the 2023 Pick-A-Project Challenge!

You can listen to the podcast here: Episode 71 Pick-A-Project Challenge

How many project instructions have you saved but never tried? (Like recipes!)

1) What's so hard about trying something new?

2) What's holding you back?

3) Why did you save that project instruction?

No more excuses. Let's do it! Pick a project and share the results.

Susan Woodcock's project:

An office chair slipcover using the how-to instructions “Office Chair Slipcover” by Teresa Bennett, Cozy Cottage Slipcovers, from Drapery & Design Professional magazine, Vol. 2009, Issue 3

Ceil DiGuglielmo's project:

Grommet draperies using the instructions from the book, Singer Sewing Custom Curtains, Shades and Top Treatments by Susan Woodcock.

Laurie Medford's Project:

A custom pillow using the how-to instructions for a "Necklace Trim Pillow" by Cathy Stich, Cathy's Curtains, from Drapery & Design Professional magazine, Vol. 2009, Issue 4.

Note: Back issues of the Drapery & Design Professional magazine can be found online at the Curtains and Soft Furnishings Resource Library.

Are You Ready to Accept the Challenge?

If you would like to participate in the 2023 Pick-A-Project Challenge, fill out the form found here: Pick-A-Project Entry Form

Deadline to enter is February 8, 2023.

Everyone who enters will be added to an email group where you can share your progress, supply-swap, and find help with techniques if you get stuck.

At the end of the challenge you will submit photos of your finished project and share what you learned, if you would use the instructions again, and how satisfied you were with the finished project. Submission deadline for your project is May 10, 2023.

What’s Required?

To be part of the challenge, project instructions must be published in a magazine, book, blog, online class, or a published pattern. You can’t just "try a technique". Projects must be a complete with a start-and-finish so that instructions and resources can be shared with each other. (If you are making a project from a class you purchased, you will share the resource but not the how-to instructions).

There’s no limit to how many people can enter the challenge. Do you want to tackle a project with a friend? Sign up as a team. Issue the challenge to your workroom group or WCAA chapter.

After the challenge ends, you could be selected to be a guest on the 30 Minutes with Workroom Tech podcast and/or published in Drapery & Design Digital Digest.

What is the incentive to join the challenge?

By joining the Pick-A-Project Challenge, you will be inspired and held accountable. You will learn something new while networking and sharing with your peers. It's an opportunity to get published and at the end of the challenge, you will have a completed project!

There Are No Winners or Losers

This is not a competition, but Ceil, Susan and Laurie will review the entries and recognize the following projects, just for fun:

1. First to finish

2. Most challenging

3. It's ugly but I learned a lot

4. Project fail

5. Love it! Why didn't I try this sooner?

6. An oldie but a goodie

7. I would put that in my house

It will be interesting to see what people choose to make, if there are any trends or if people choose the same projects. Join us!

The deadline to sign up was February 8, 2023. Thank you to everyone who picked a project and joined the challenge!