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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.

Erik Ernst

11/14/17

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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.

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Erik Ernst

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199 Comments

  • Tanya Covington

    I feel like I have truly lost a friend. Although I never met her I thought of her as a sewing buddy. I will miss her.

  • Frela Summerlin

    I am so sorry to lose her, she was an inspiration to me and so many others. She was an excellent teacher regardless of what she was teaching. She was my favorite and will be greatly missed. I read her book and realized what struggles she had as a child. Heaven is blessed with a new angel. My condolences to her family.

  • Heathet

    I watched her show and shopped out of her catalog for years! She will be missed. Rest In Peace Nancy.

  • Mary Drust

    So sorry. Nancy will be missed. Prayers for the family.

  • Nanny Alse

    Mis condolencias para su familia y amigos. D.E.P.

  • Mary

    Rest well dear and gentle soul.God comfort your family as they grieve your loss.

  • Susan Bradberry

    My condolences to Nancy’s family and her extended family. It was through Nancy’s programs that I met her, never was fortunate enough to meet her in person. She was a huge inspiration to me and I know she was to others. As once said by a great man “Thanks for the memories.”

  • Ms Holley

    To all of Ms. Nancy’s family and friends, yes our hearts are sadden but remember she has no more pain. She left so much for us to remember her by. What great life of lessons gave us.We may never have learned them if not For Ms. Nancy.
    Friends in between tears Joy do cometh.

  • Judy Storey

    So sad to hear of Nancy’s passing. I felt as thou I knew her in person, when I just watched her shows over so many years. Prayers to her family and friends. Thanks for sharing her with us.

  • Maxine Reece

    One Saturday in the mid 1990’s when I was sick and lying on the couch, I discovered Nancy’s show. I hadn’t sewed in years and never quilted. That day was a turning point in my life and I’ve never looked back. I watched every time I could and was thrilled when we got a TV that I could save her shows. Thanks to Nancy I used quilting and sewing to get through some hard times. My thoughts and prayers are with her family.

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