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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.
Mary Anne King
Today I watched Sewing for Fun. The shock of seeing “In Memory Of” really gave me a jolt. Nancy Zieman gave me such a wonderful lift with every show she shared with her public. After watching her I would go to my sewing room and work on another new idea. I have no special training but she always made me feel like a professional. Her family will miss her greatly, but, they have all their wonderful memories to live with. I only wish I could have met her in person. I certainly will try to put all her shows on a CD for future use.
Elizabeth M
My mother and I have watched Nancy for years, and I even work with a lady who met her at a Quilt Expo! Nancy, you were a lovely lady and will definitely be missed by so many. Your legacy will always live on, and we all love you. Bye for now…
Elizabeth M
I also want to say that I share her faith as well, and have prayed for her and her family, and I know she is at rest.
Barb
I’m so saddened by this news. Thank you Nancy for inspiring a world of sewers. You will be missed but your legacy will live on forever. Condolences to your family.
Louise Jutras
Since University in the 1980s, I was watching her TV shows and me too, coming from a long line of sewers, I thought that she was best at explaining the use of patterns and create new ones. What a loss! I have tons of notes from her various programs and I plan to use them during my current retirement. God Bless Nancy! Louise (Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada)
Jeanette Spink
Amen! I learned so much from Nancy, things that I had wondered how it was done. She showed me 28 years ago & I’m so thankful for her knowledge. Nancy, you are in peace now. You are missed. Thank heaven for video knowledge, as we can continue to view your shows.
Diana
Such a lovely person. I am so sad. Nancy was a friend I never met. She taught me a lot not only about sewing but also charity thru ending segments on her shows. My sincere and deepest sympathy to all of her family… may the love of Christ reach out to you. R I P. Nancy.
Jeanne Borchardt
I read the news of Nancy’s retiring; she humbled me! Nancy was my inspiration from the beginning; in watching her shows, I have learned so much! Sharing her life on Public Television, being so kind and generous… her legacy will be an inspiration to so many! God Speed to her family and friends!
Mary McNiff, Kissimmee. Fl. simmee
I was heart broken when I heard that we had lost the most sincere lady on tv. Nancy came across the screen as if she was in the room with you. There were not any put ons, just a real great person. I loved the show and even watched if it was repeated in the evening. May God.Bless her now she can smile down at and watch how well we enjoyed her lessons. Will remember Nancy and the family in my nightly prayers, Keep up your strength.
Linda Myers
What an inspiration to so many. My Saturday mornings were always enlightened by her encouragement and expertise. As I write this from my sewing room, my prayers go out to her family and friends. Thank you Nancy for sharing your teaching gift with all of us! Your legacy lives on! Bye for now.