Threads Executive Editor Judith Neukam will receive ASDP's 2014 Lifetime Achievement Award during the during the group's annual conference in Philadelphia.
The Association of Sewing and Design Professionals will honor Threads Executive Editor Judith Neukam with the ASDP 2014 Lifetime Achievement Award during the group’s annual conference, October 15 to 19, in Philadelphia. The ASDP Lifetime Achievement Award is given annually to a person, organization, or business that has made a profound contribution to sewing, fashion, patternmaking, writing, and/or education in sewing and design.
Sewing educator and ASDP member Pamela Leggett nominated Judith for the award. She wrote: “Judy has promoted and encouraged sewing educators, groups such as ASDP, and creative sewers in general, to share what they know through Threads. She has an enormous amount of knowledge in sewing-related topics, and shares them with readers and viewers alike.”
Judith, creator and star of the Teach Yourself to Sew series of instructional DVDs and a 15-year veteran of the magazine’s staff, is a jack-of-all-trades in the sewing industry. She has created custom clothing and designed ready-to-wear garments, sold fabrics at retail, mastered fitting and alterations, and possesses a breadth and depth of sewing knowledge that is the envy of her colleagues.
“To be honored by an organization and a membership who spend their lives sewing is an overwhelming distinction,” says Judith. “I have such a high regard for the people involved in this organization and the work they do. To receive this award is quite thrilling.”
In addition to her work for Threads and instructional DVDs, for more than a decade Judith has helped coordinate and judge the annual Threads/ASDP Design Challenge.
Drawing from her vast experience in sewing and design, Judith offers this advice to other professionals: “Expose, explore, experiment. Expose yourself to other people’s work and examine their techniques. Explore possibilities-don’t just settle for other people’s ideas; originate ways they didn’t think of. Experiment with inventing your own methods, keep samples, and take notes. Most importantly, use at least one discovery in everything you make.”
Teresa Nieswaag, ASDP president, says, “I think this award is long overdue, as Judy truly exemplifies what it stands for.” We’re proud of Judith and happy for her.
Here at Threads, we’re proud of Judith and happy for her. Our contributing editors also are very excited for Judith. Here’s what they have to say.
“Congratulations! I knew that if anyone deserved this award, then it must be Judy. Well done, my friend!” –Louise Cutting
“Judy has that brilliant combination of technical expertise, editing ability, and good common sense, (combined with a wicked sense of humor) that makes me sound literate beyond my capabilities in the articles she edits. I’ve always been honored to get to work with her, and look forward to working with her for years to come!” –Kenneth D. King
“I’ve known and worked with Judy for longer than I can remember, and she does what every good editor should do: She makes our work shine. So for that, and for everything else she does with grace, talent, hard work, and humor, my endless thanks.” –Susan Khalje
“Judy is so deserving of this award. She just knows everything about sewing and is extremely generous in passing along her great knowledge.” –Mary Ray
In celebration of Judith’s award, we’ve showcased some of her top tutorial DVD and book picks from our store, and created a special discount offer:
Don’t miss Judith’s Teach Yourself to Sew Series:
Use the coupon code Judy20 and save 20%. Offer expires October 31, 2014.
Teach Yourself to Sew, Season 5
Teach Yourself to Sew, Season 4
Teach Yourself to Sew, Season 3
Teach Yourself to Sew, Season 2
Teach Yourself to Sew, Season 1
Teach Yourself to Sew, special issue
Smart Fitting with Kenneth. D King
Click here to see all of Judith’s top picks.
Use the coupon code Judy20 and save 20%. Offer expires October 31, 2014.
*Please note: Offer does not apply to Taunton Workshops.
What are some of your favorite Threads articles written by Judith? Do you own any seasons of Teach Yourself to Sew? Will any Threads readers attend the ASDP conference in Philadelphia?
A long-deserved honor for a wonderful, wise, and vastly knowledgeable woman!
Congratulations! What a wonderful and deserved honor.
Congratulations Judith - you so deserve this honor!
Congratulations Judith. Thank you for sharing your expertise. Your generous spirit is much appreciated.
Congratulation on this terrific honor
Judith, you are without a doubt as amazingly gifted as you are giving.
This award acknowledges what Threads' readers have long since known, you are the pinnacle where sewing meets sharing meets surprises.
Congratulations!!
P.S. You had me at your teeth chomp when describing the bite of a zipper, you had me at your teeth chomp.
I'm so pleased for you Judy . You really deserve it
Winifred UK
Others have mentioned Judy Neukam's vast wisdom and knowledge in the sewing and design field and I wholeheartedly agree.
What I admire most though from an author's vantage point is how she puts her heart and soul in every published piece making sure the author's voice is heard and all the facts are impeccably correct.
She does this in an atmosphere of looming deadlines that would make most of us want to go back to bed in the morning and pull the covers up over our heads until the pressure goes away. I wish I knew her secret!
Judy you are amazing! Congratulations!