If you have ever searched for “Sewing with Nancy” or wondered who the name behind Nancy’s Notions really is, you are in the right place. Nancy Zieman was one of the most beloved teachers in the sewing world, and her story is worth knowing.
Who Was Nancy Zieman?
Nancy Zieman was a sewing teacher, author, television host and businesswoman. She grew up on a dairy farm in Wisconsin and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stout with a double major in home economics and journalism. Early in her career she worked at a sewing store in Chicago and taught sewing in Minnesota.
How Did Nancy’s Notions Begin?
In 1979, Nancy’s Notions started as a mail-order catalog. What began as a small collection of sewing notions and supplies grew into a name sewists across the country knew and trusted.
What Was Sewing With Nancy?
In 1982, Nancy co-produced a television program called Sewing with Nancy. It started on Wisconsin Public Television and grew into a nationally recognized show that introduced generations of sewists to new techniques, tools and projects. Nancy remained the host and executive producer for decades, and more than 900 episodes were filmed.
Many viewers will tell you it was the warmth that kept them watching. Nancy had a gift for making a new skill feel doable.
Her Determination
Nancy developed Bell’s Palsy as a toddler following an ear infection, which left her with partial facial paralysis. She was self-conscious about it as a child, but it did not stop her from becoming a teacher, author, television host and sewing icon. She found confidence through creating, and then spent her life helping other people find the same joy.
What Happened to Nancy’s Notions?
Nancy passed away on November 14, 2017. In May 2020, Missouri Star Quilt Co. purchased Nancy’s Notions, bringing her legacy into the Missouri Star family. Jenny Doan had watched Sewing with Nancy on Sunday mornings and always treasured Nancy’s encouragement and kindness. In September 2022, Missouri Star launched the Nancy’s Notions website you are on right now, with the goal of continuing Nancy’s mission: sharing sewing education and inspiration.
Where Can I Learn Like Nancy Taught?
Nancy believed in teaching and in the joy of creating, and we hope this site carries that forward. Here are a few good places to start:
- Learn how to navigate Nancy’s Notions and find everything on the site
- Love Sewing – Just Like Nancy Did! for more of Nancy’s story
- Browse our free sewing and quilting patterns and articles by category
- Shop sewing and quilting notions at Missouri Star, the sister site to Nancy’s Notions
Looking for Notions?
Nancy’s Notions began as a catalog of the tools sewists rely on. Today our sister site, Missouri Star, carries what you need. Shop sewing and quilting notions at Missouri Star.
What do you remember most about Sewing with Nancy? Tell us in the comments. We would love to hear your favorite episode or the first thing you learned from her.
Happy sewing!
Beth
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