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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.
11/14/17
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Wisconsin Public Television is saddened by the death of Nancy Zieman, longtime host of Sewing With Nancy.
11/14/17
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.
I would love to get your thoughts, suggestions, and questions in the comments below. Thanks for sharing!
PBS Wisconsin is a service of the Wisconsin Educational Communications Board and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. © 2025 All Rights Reserved.
Jane, KY
I loved to watch Nancy Zieman on PBS. She was a person who loved her craft and interaction with other sewers. Without her, I doubt the sewing/craft industry would be what it is today. Martha Stewart, as gifted as she is, was no match for Nancy Zieman! Nancy just excelled in explaining and teaching the sewing craft with a talent that made sewing appealing to so many, even if you had never sewn before. Due to her love of sewing, and with unsurpassed skills, Nancy could hold your interest for 30 minutes each week and make it feel like anybody could master the sewing craft. Via PBS, each week she was a welcomed guest in my home, and my sewing buddy. I would clear my schedule, grab my coffee to watch every minute of “Sewing With Nancy”. Though I never personally met her, I know she was a wonderful person whom I & so many others will miss terribly. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family. May God comfort you at this time of loss.
Maggierose Copple
I am crying. I will miss her so much. I loved her shows and here generous, kind loving spirit ☆She was a wonderful inspiraling for the world.
Rita
Yes she would always say ” bye for now” at the end of her shows. She will be missed
Sympathy to her family
Lois Bentley
Nancy was one of a kind!! Talented beyond words and a terrific business woman and also kind to everyone. She will certainly be missed by all.
Constance Morris
My heart is filled with sadness and love for Nancy. Such a precious Lady whom I have admired for years. She has left footprint on my heart , I will treasure forever. I know she is with the Lord, receiving Her Reward for all she has given us. Much love to her family, close friends and staff. Prayers’
Sally Ingraham
I am heartbroken by the news of Nancy’s passing. I have watched her shows since the beginning and feel as though I have lost a personal friend. I can’t imagine the feelings of loss her family and friends are experiencing. Blessings to you all.
Gertie
I can’t believe it… I watch her show every Saturday, and learned how to quilt partly with her help!!! Dear Nancy, rest in peace.
Carol Johnson
Nancy made every part of sewing easy and doable. When I had young children, I looked to her for inspiration. As my skills grew, I found new ideas and enjoyed following her guests’ presentations on their websites. She was always a classy lady with a mix of warmth and ability. I will truly miss her.
Janice Lauzon from Alberta, Canada
As many other have said I watched Nancy’s shows faithfully for as long as they were shown on our local PBS Network. She was a great teacher making everything possible if you followed her guidance. My condolences to all of her family and colleagues – I will remember the dates – she was born the same year as I was and passed away on what would have been my mother’s 100th birthday. Alberta is a long way from Wisconsin but “through the magic of television” it felt like we were friends.
Diane M Zimmerman
She was an inspiration not only with her creativity in development of better processes for fashion sewing, but she had a compassionate heart that helped to inspire many of us to sew for those in need and gave us a connectedness beyond the telecasts. Thank you WPT for carrying this treasure for 25 years. Now it’s up to us to continue the work she started and to bring sewing to the next generation and the next… Praying for her family as they walk through this time of loss.