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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.
Sue York
I am very saddened to hear the news about Nancy. She gave me the confidence to try new things and inspired my love of sewing. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and Nancy thank you so much for your love of sewing.
Scott Stanton
Nancy, you had the gift of teaching that you used well. Teaching us all how to sew better as well as the truths of Christ in Sunday school and by your life. You were able to explain these in an easy to understand manner, making some of the hard to understand concepts simple. I shall miss your smile and your kindness and compassion. It is not goodbye, but as you said at the end of every show, Bye for now. For we shall meet again. Your forever friend and coworker
Scott
Ella L Williams
I am so saddened by the passing of Nancy. I did not know her personally, but felt she was a friend and mentor to me. We are all so blessed that she shared her knowledge and talent with the world. I have watched her for many years and will continue to do so. My prayers are with her family during this time. Thank you, Nancy, for everything you have taught me. May you rest in Heaven. Bye, for now.
Violet Anderson
Thank you Nancy, and condolences to everyone at PBS, I can’t believe I am crying. You were my first “video” or TV instructor for sewing, and I was so amazed at all the tips and instructions you have shown me in my life and I am 60! I have some of her books and watched her on PBS and l looked up videos on You Tube to figure something out. She was such an inspiration to me and I feel like I have lost a real friend today.
Judith Dye
My thoughts and prayers to the family. Nancy seemed like one of my family even though I never met her. I have learned so much from her “Sewing With Nancy” programs. May the Lord comfort and give strength to the family.
Psalm 121
Paula huggins
RIP. So sorry to the family for the loss. She taught me so much.
Nancy knight
My thoughts and prayers are with your family. I have watch Nancy since she has started she will be sadly missed. Happy she is out of pain and now in a good place.
Julia
She was so humble, yet she lifted us all by being such an inspired person. No one has ever been cut out of the same cloth as her! What a treasure.
Kathy Taylor
My Mom and I watched her every week. We learned so many ways to make our sewing better and sometimes easier than we thought. Mom recorded her shows for a long time. She will be missed. Thank you Nancy for helping so many seamstress enjoy our sewing. My prayers and sympathy to her family
Sarah Beyer
Nancy’s passing is a great loss to everyone and she will be missed. She continues to be an inspiration to all through her television shows. A great lady!!!!!