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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

  • Ann Sprague

    She was one-of-a-kind, an incredible inspirational source and a true pioneer! Her family is in my prayers.

  • Judy Holmes

    So sorry to hear that Nancy has passed. She was so young. I loved watching her programs and have bought many items from her catalog. I feel that I have lost a friend.
    Prayers for her family.

  • Catherine Wiggins

    The sewing world has lost a great friend and champion. I have started almost every Saturday morning with her for more years than I can count. She has inspired us not only to sew, but to reach out and sew for others. RIP.

  • Dana Anderson

    So sad to hear of her passing. I began watching her programs when I was in high school. Used what I learned from her programs with my grandma’s help to make my own prom dress. Was the first garment I made . Sending prayers of peace and comfort to her family. She will be missed.

  • Beverly

    I had the privilege of meeting Nancy at Pfaff convention in Las Vegas many years ago. She was a kind and talented lady who will be sorely missed not only by family and friends but all of us who watched her TV shows and used her books. She was an amazing woman.

  • Theresa

    My sympathies to the Zieman family. Nancy was an inspiration to all who loved sewing. You are in my prayers.

  • Christine Vincent

    She wrote me years ago as we both got our sons at same time. Not flesh of our flesh or bone of our bone. Still miraculously all our own. The didn’t grow under our hearts but in them. I hope the store stays going. Prayers family and Fri e nds

  • Ann Wiest

    I am so sad to hear of Nancy’s passing! The quilting/sewing world has lost a great leader! My prayers are with her family. Her suffering is over on this earth, may she rest in peace!

  • A Martinez

    So Sad to Hear I’m heart broken I would watch her on TV
    An also purchase some items she will be Missed R.I.P.

  • Virginia Severns

    I posyed a comment on tje mzin.screen. i eill miss her. I learned much from her and her friendly talk on each show made each very nice to watch. I will miss her and eatch her reruns on Sat on the local PBS and twice ln Tuesday each week and sometimes other.days on the 2ocal PBS stations.

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