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Wisconsin Public Television Remembers Nancy Zieman

Wisconsin Public Television is saddened by the death of Nancy Zieman, longtime host of Sewing With Nancy.

Erik Ernst

11/14/17

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Wisconsin Public Television is saddened by the death of Nancy Zieman, longtime host of Sewing With Nancy.

Zieman passed away at her home in Beaver Dam Tuesday morning after a long battle with cancer.

An educator, author, pattern maker, television producer, entrepreneur and innovator, Zieman inspired millions of sewing and quilting enthusiasts throughout her career. She hosted Sewing With Nancy, the longest-running sewing series on television, since 1982. The program continues to air on public television stations across the United States.

A careful, kind and generous presence, Zieman presented each of her programs in an engaging how-to format that empowered people of all skill levels to explore their own talents.

In addition to her TV program, Zieman was the founder of Nancy’s Notions, a Tacony Corporation company. Grown from her own kitchen table into a nationwide name trusted by sewers and quilters, the company offers thousands of products including sewing books, notions, videos and DVDs, fabrics and quilting products and embroidery designs through its website, retail store and Nancy’s Notions catalog.

In 2005, Zieman helped develop Quilt Expo with WPT in Madison. The event is a vibrant example of Zieman’s inspiration, now drawing more than 20,000 people from across the United States to celebrate the art and craft of quilting.

Zieman is survived by her husband, Richard, their two sons, Ted and Tom, and her beloved grandchildren.

“Nancy was an entrepreneur, a talented television host, a dear friend to so many people at Wisconsin Public Television, and a true Wisconsin treasure,” WPT’s Director of Television Jon Miskowski said. “During the time that she produced her series Sewing With Nancy with WPT, she made hundreds of hours of programs sharing her love of sewing and quilting – work that reflects the essence of Nancy’s legacy in passing the love of sewing, a passion she held very dear, on to the next generation. It was an honor for WPT to be a part of her story. We will all miss Nancy and share our condolences with her family and friends as we remember a life well-lived and a legacy that will continue to inspire for years to come.”

“I am proud to have worked with Nancy on Sewing With Nancy for more than 25 years,” Laurie Gorman, WPT’s producer of Sewing With Nancy, said. “She had the rare ability to take her passion – the love of sewing – and share it with a national audience through the medium of television. Nancy was a savvy entrepreneur, talented colleague, and dear friend. She will be greatly missed by the staff at WPT and her many viewers and fans across the country.”

Zieman’s work on Sewing With Nancy lives on in the hundreds of hours of television that she created, much of which is available online at wpt.org/SewingWithNancy as a lasting resource that is still used by sewing and quilting enthusiasts around the world.

A private funeral service will be held. Fans and friends hoping to share their memories of Nancy’s life and inspiration are welcome to leave comments at NancyZieman.com/blog. If friends, fans and viewers desire, information about suggested memorial gifts is also available at that website.

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Erik Ernst

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199 Comments

  • Carol Meyer

    So sorry to hear this…she was such an inspiration in the sewing and quilting world. Our prayers go out to her family.

  • Ulrike Masanneck

    Rest in Peace Nancy, a wonderful Lady is gone.

  • celia gayle gwaltney

    I miss her already. I am very saddened by her death. My heart goes out to her husband Richard and her sons Ted and Tom. Blessing to the family as they must go on without her. she was my inspiration and a large part of my sewing room. I will miss her greatly. I feel like she was my best friend. She can not be replaced. loveGayle Gwaltney of NC

  • Carolyn Anderson

    So sad for all of us, and especially Nancy’s family. My heart breaks and your tears are my tears! Somehow I hope you can see all the great comments the sewing people of the world have for you! There will never be anyone who can replace you and what you have done for all of us ! Thank you, dear Nancy. Carolyn Anderson

  • Veronika Badger

    I am so very sorry to hear about Nancy’s passing. My condolences to the family. I never met Nancy, but I sent her a letter once, and she answered me! I was so thrilled. I used to sew a little, then I watched Nancy, and I really learned to sew, now I am also a quilter.
    Thank you Nancy, rest in peace.

  • Joan Maddox London Ontario Canada

    It is a pleasure to share Nancy’s passion for sewing and quilting. Technology will help her tout live on for her fans

  • Pat from CT

    I had the pleasure of meeting her once, and what a wonderful women. I was impressed – I went to her store in Wisconsin (I’m from Connecticut) Loved every minute of it. I hope she’s gathering all the seamstress in heaven and having one heck of a sew-a-thon!

  • Kathleen from Australia

    Everything I know about machine embroidery and most of what I know about quilting I learned from Nancy.

    Her books are my bible. Vale Nancy! you will be sadly missed. Rest in peace.

  • Mattie P. Carter

    I enjoyed Nancy’s show and simple love of sewing and sharing with others. Yes she will be missed, but each time I look at or in one of her books, or use one of her techniques, I will remember her and her smile. God bless her family for sharing her with all of us. She is one of my sewing & quilting Icons.

  • Bonnie McKInney

    I always watched and enjoyed Nancy . I have learned a lot from her. I loved her. I will miss her.

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