Jun 14, 20233 min read

30 Minutes with Workroom Tech: Episode 76 / Pick-A-Project Challenge Follow Up

On this episode of The Sew Much More Podcast: 30 Minutes with Workroom Tech, Ceil DiGuglielmo and Susan Woodcock follow up with some of the participants who joined the 2023 Pick-a-Project Challenge. Listen and learn about the projects, the challenges and the wins. Photos of the projects are below.

You can listen to this episode here:

Episode 76, Pick-A-Project Challenge Follow Up

The Pick-A-Project Challenge was issued by Susan Woodcock on Episode 71 of the podcast on January 11, 2023. There were 28 finished projects, 1 valance, 2 cornice boards, 5 pillows, 3 draperies, 2 french mattress cushions, 4 shades, 3 slipcovers, 1 tufted ottoman, 1 lampshade, 1 shower curtain, 1 chair seat reupholstery, 1 outdoor chair, 1 worktable extension, 1 workroom apron and 1 soft, cozy robe. It was a fun and educational experience for all.

As promised, Susan has selected these "winners", just for fun. they get bragging rights until next year!

First to finish goes to Donna Redmond with help from her assistant Denise
Most challenging goes to Carrie Duso - we don't make swaggy styles anymore and you now know why
It's ugly but I learned a lot goes to Laurie Medford. Grapes? Really?
Project fail goes to Celeste Breen, beautiful pleating when flat doesn't look the same when stuffed
Love it! Why didn't I try this sooner? goes to Monica Rhodes. No more bolster fear.
An oldie but a goodie goes to Betsey Reigle - Retro Hollywood glam
I would put this in my house goes to (it's a tie) Kristine Clarke, that pillow would look great in my house and Amy Sadera, can we trade deck chairs?

Here are this year's projects.

Office Chair Slipcover by Susan Woodcock inspired by an article in the Drapery & Design Professional Magazine, Office Chair Slipcover by Teresa Bennett, 2009.

Necklace Trim Pillow by Laurie Medford inspired by an article in Drapery & Design Professional magazine, Necklace Trim Pillow by Cathy Stich, 2009.

Grommet Drapery by Ceil DiGuglielmo inspired by Singer Sewing Custom Curtains, Shades and Top Treatments by Susan Woodcock

Workroom Aprons by Nancy Hogan inspired by an article in Drapery & Design Professional Magazine, Volume 2009, Issue 5/6.

Pillow by Kristine Clarke inspired by smocking instructions found in The Art of Manipulating Fabric by Colette Wolff

Pillow by Celeste Breen inspired by SewNews magazine, December 2014-January 2015

London Shade by Karine Morales

Inspired by Rowley Company's Fabricating a Timeless Roman Shade, by Laurie Medford

Pillow by Betsey Reigle inspired by Smocked Vintage Pillow how-to videos by Sandra VanSickle, Live with Sandra V

French Mattress Cushion by Terry Sandlin inspired by an article in Drapery & Design Digital Digest by Michele Miner

Cornice board by Rhonda Shanahan inspired by Robin Matthew's Skelton Frame Cornice webinar in the Curtains and Soft Furnishings Resource Library

Worktable extension on a new worktable by Callie and Scott Nelsen.

Outdoor slingback chairs by Amy Sadera, inspired by Sailrite instructions,

How To Replace Sling Chair Fabric

Bolster pillow by Monica Rhodes inspired by Youtube video

by A Square Pillow Isn't Square

Vanity chair reupholstery and painting by Noemi Regis inspired by

how to instructions on Youtube

Tufted ottoman (a work in progress!) by Nancy Sargent inspired by

instructions by Cynthia Bleskachek

Nautical themed awning valance by Teresa Black inspired by a Pate Meadows pattern.

Bay window cornice board by Nancy Letts using FirmaFlex from Rowley Company

Not everyone could make it to the podcast recording! More projects below...

Shower curtain by Deborah Williamson inspired by Minutes Matter instructions,

Inverted Pleated Shower Curtain with Grommets

Roman shade by Kate Winton inspired by instructions and

products from Dofix No Sew, Inc.

Lampshade by Lindsay Kronmiller inspired by an article in Drapery & Design Professional magazine, 2009. Lindsay learned that embroidered linen isn't always a good choice for lampshades. She's not giving up!