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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.
Laura Neu
I, too, taped her shows, but for 17 years I got up to watch them. She taught so much more than sewing techniques and projects! Kindness, inspiration, confidence, wonderful ways to give.
Lisa
What an unimaginable shock and loss! I am so sad! We will all miss you Nancy!! I am beyond words! Makes a person stop and realize life is very precious and valuable! Appreciate every little thing and treasure those around you! Rest In Peace dear Nancy! Heaven is lucky to have you!
Lisa
What an unimaginable shock and loss! I am so sad! We will all miss you Nancy!! I am beyond words. Makes a person stop and realize life is very precious and valuable! Appreciate everything and treasure those around you! Rest In Peace dear Nancy! Heaven is lucky to have you!
Lori
I’m saddened to hear the news of Nancy’s passing. She was such a talented woman.
MaLea Flynn
The first thing my husband said when he heard of the passing of Nancy was, ” Honey that lady that does your sewing show passed away, what are you going to do now”? Nancy has been my Saturday ritual for years.. she has inspired me to sew better by the week, for that I will be forever grateful.. So every Saturday please accept my blessings that I will remember a wonderful person that I will miss dealy. With greatest sympathy from our family to yours.
sandra
what was the book you read about Nancy’s youth??? I’v been watching her for so long I feel she was a friend. I would love to have that book.
Jean Clark
It’s been sorrow & sadness ever since I read her letter in the Guild Magazine….It was a Good by letter…She got her affairs in order, came to Resolve, and expressed her Faith. Nancy was more than talented in sewing. She shared herself genuinely with us viewers…and we felt as if we were in the presence of a Friend. Deepest condolences to her family…
Erik Andrew Pridemore
We were sad and somber, to hear about the passing of Nancy Zieman. We have watched her show and learned lessons on how to sew, and as she has gone to a better place, we will watch her show “Sewing With Nancy” only in reruns on the web and on OETA and the Create TV Channel. We love you Nancy Zieman, and we’ll miss her as she is now in her great stage in the sky.
Erik Andrew Pridemore from Colbert, Oklahoma
We enjoyed watching Nancy Zieman on “Sewing With Nancy” for 35 years on the air, and now as the show aired its series finale after 910 shows, her passing earlier this week from cancer left us knowing how bad something had to be happening again to her. And as she is now in a better place, we will surely miss her splendid work on ‘Sewing With Nancy,” as it will only air in reruns. Thank you Nancy Zieman, and we will miss you.
Jean Cherney
I think I saw on your station that you are having a memorial program with Nancy’s grandaughters. Day and time please.
Thank you.