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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.
Denise Fiegel
I can say she was a excellent teacher. Wonderful to watch and all types of sewing and quilting and she had away that made you able to do it perfect everytime. My condoleses to her beloved family and thank you for sharing her with us.
C. Cannady
I am so sad, just finding out about this. Nancy was truly a special gifted & beautiful lady ….She left much too soon. I watched her show for years . She was a gifted teacher, creating anything to do with sewing…..Never be anyone like her again. I still can’t believe she has gone. Prayers to all her family. I feel she has just graduated to Heaven – she was so truly special . (Atlanta GA)
Sue in Rockford, IL
Sending my donation to WPT in Nancy’s memory. Watching her show got me hooked on all the other PBS shows. My mother in Fargo and I compared notes each week on our PBS stations. We both loved watching her show each week and were so lucky to attend the taping of the 30th Anniversary show in the Madison PBS studio together.
Karen Friedrichs
A life well lived filled with grace and humility.
BORDIER ANNE
C’est une grande dame qui nous a quittée . j’aimé beaucoup c’est vidéo et sa passion. Qu’elle repose en paix .
Sincères condoléances à toute sa famille . Anneb (France)
Linda Gleason
The hearts of multitudes who sew and quilt are sad to hear that Nancy has passed away. She was a true inspiration as a teacher and as a woman who walked through life with dignity and grace. We are blessed that her legacy will live on in the lessons she has left behind. Wouldn’t be surprised if she has not already set up a quilting class for the angels in Heaven.
Juanita Sews
RIP… you will be missed.
Frannie Alexson
So sorry to hear that Nancy has passed . The Sewing World will never be quite the same. My prayers for her family .
Ann Elizabeth Allshouse
Saturday mornings wont be the same anymore. Gods peace.
Carolyn Bernard
I am deeply saddened to hear of her passing so soon after her recent announcement. I started my mornings with her, along with my coffee. I never had the pleasure of meeting her in person and wish that I could’ve thanked her for her contribution to the sewing/quilting community. She truly was an inspiration. Thank you, Nancy, and to your family for sharing her with us all these years. Your legacy will live on in all of us who gathered around to soak up the knowledge and passion you helped to create for all of us. God bless you and your family.