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:
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!
Pillows by Donna Redmond inspired by the book Pillows by Katrin Cargill, 1996.
French mattress cushion in progress by Jennifer Franco inspired by
by Michele Minner's instructions.
Empire Balloon Shade by Carrie Duso inspired by M'Fay Pattern #9223
Heavenly Robe by Kara Gleghorn using McCalls pattern M7061 - Cheers!
Thank you to everyone who participated! We hope you enjoyed being part of the challenge and we look forward to doing it all again next year.