Nancy Zieman History Exhibit on Display this Summer in Beaver Dam WI at The Nancy Zieman Sewing Studio
The Nancy Had a Notion History Exhibit is on Display this Summer in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin at The Nancy Zieman Sewing Studio!
Did you know that Nancy Zieman’s favorite time of the year was summer? Summer in Wisconsin is one of the most wonderful times of the year—when flowers are in bloom, and the vision of lush green foliage surrounding the beautiful blue lakes is breathtaking!
If you happen to be traveling through the Wisconsin countryside this summer, make plans to visit the The Nancy Had a Notion History Exhibit! The exhibit will be on display on the 2nd floor of The Nancy Zieman Sewing Studio–Now easily accessible by our new elevator!
Nancy Luedtke Zieman was born 69 years ago on June 21, 1953, and she passed away November 14, 2017 at the age of 64. Today we celebrate Nancy as a businesswoman, home economist, national sewing authority, daughter, niece, sister, aunt, wife, mother, grandmother, friend, and inspiration to all.
Nancy fulfilled her true calling as an educator and inspiration to the world around her. Nancy touched the lives of millions as they stitched alongside, or simply tuned in to watch, the inimitable Nancy Zieman and guests on Sewing With Nancy on Public Television.
Nancy Luedtke Zieman was born to Barbara and Ralph Luedtke on Father’s Day in 1953, and she grew up on her family’s dairy farm—near Winneconne, Wisconsin. This special Nancy Had a Notion History Exhibit includes images, awards, and early garments sewn by Nancy—including 4H projects from the 1960s.
In 1971 Nancy graduated high school in Winneconne, WI, and later graduated in 1975 from University of Wisconsin–Stout, where she studied clothing textiles design and journalism. The Nancy Had a Notion History Exhibit includes a BERNINA 830 purchased by Nancy in college, and used on the first episodes of Sewing With Nancy.
The Nancy Had a Notion History Exhibit also includes the custom dress form–made by Nancy in college, along with the Pfaff 130 she learned to sew on – both on loan from Barbara Luedtke-Eckstein, Nancy’s Mother.
A few years after the couple met while working together at a Minnesota Fabrics store in Chicago, Nancy Luedtke married Richard Zieman on January 28, 1977. The couple, along with their family, celebrated 40 years of marriage in 2017.
In 1979, Nancy started her first business, Nancy’s Notions, at her kitchen table. Nancy grew her business at home, later moved to a building on her husband Richard’s parents farm, then opened the Nancy’s Notions catalog warehouse/showroom in Beaver Dam, WI, in 1985. Around the same time, the couple welcomed their first son Ted in 1982, and their second son Tom in 1991.
This special Nancy Had a Notion History Exhibit chronicles Nancy’s early years in business—while at the same time, starting her family.
View articles from Nancy’s personal collection, including the very first “Nancy’s Notions” one-sheet flyer, along with first edition sewing books—written by Nancy.
Nancy began her TV show Sewing With Nancy in 1982. Since 1992, PBS Wisconsin in Madison, Wis. has been Nancy’s partner in television production with Laurie Gorman serving as the executive director for over 25 years. Nancy recorded 35 years of how-to educational programing and she has the longest running sewing show on TV. Sewing With Nancy continues to air on Public Television, Create TV, 24/7/365 at NancyZieman.com, and on YouTube. Plus see special clips, outtakes, and bloopers at the Nancy Had a Notion History Exhibit on display this summer at The Nancy Zieman Sewing Studio in Beaver Dam, WI.
Sprinkled throughout the Nancy Had a Notion History Exhibit, find memorabilia and images of Nancy with her family, images of Nancy with friends Gail Brown, Mary Mulari, Eileen Roche, and Natalie Sewell, images of Sewing With Nancy behind the scenes, and antique miniature sewing machines gifted to Nancy by Gail Brown, and garments worn on Sewing With Nancy on loan from Mary Mulari and Eileen Roche.
See tailored jackets stitched by Nancy, along with some of her first sewing patterns she designed for The McCall Pattern Company in NY.
View Nancy’s very own machine-quilting frame and Baby Lock Sewing Machine—used by Nancy to sew nearly 70 landscape quilts.
Special highlights of the Nancy Had a Notion History Exhibit include Nancy’s Bible–on loan from Nancy’s husband, Richard Zieman; along with original landscape quilts made by Nancy–on loan from Nancy’s church and Nancy’s mother.
The Celebrating Nancy Zieman Exhibit will be on display from now until October 1st at The Nancy Zieman Sewing Studio and is open free of charge to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Exhibit is closed Sunday.
This May, during our SEW•QUILT•CREATE Weekend and Nancy Zieman Sewing Studio Grand Opening Event, we celebrated the opening of the Nancy Had a Notion History Exhibit with a ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by The Beaver Dam Chamber Ambassadors–pictured above with Richard Zieman, Deanna Springer, and Dana Casey from Team NZP.
Nancy Had a Notion History Exhibit
Now through October 1, 2022
at the Nancy Zieman Sewing Studio
120 Front Street, Beaver Dam, WI 53916
Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Exhibit is closed Sunday.
A special thank you to Barbara Luedtke-Eckstein, Nancy’s Mother, Richard Zieman, and friends Susan Tamminga and Lois Kurtz—for making the Nancy Zieman History Exhibit possible.
When visiting the Nancy Had a Notion History Exhibit, be sure to see the Nancy Zieman Community Mosaic Mural–located behind the Nancy Zieman Sewing Studio at the BDACT-Beaver Dam Area Community Theater.
Join us this weekend for The Wisconsin Arts and Peony Festival in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin June 3-5, 2022, with special events on Saturday, June 4!
Plus there’s still time to take in The Great Wisconsin Quilt Show Botanical Quilt Exhibit at the DCCA–Dodge County Center for the Arts in Beaver Dam, WI.
Start planning your visit today, and download The Beaver Dam Fiber Arts Tour Map!
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Susan
Nancy still continues to inspire with her creativity and desire to persevere. The world is a richer place to have been graced with Nancy’s presence.
Lisa
I miss her. I so looked forward to Saturdays and watching Sewing With Nancy on PBS. She was, and is, a treasure.
Karen W.
Nancy was an amazing women and all of her ideas through the years are still touching many sewing enthusiasts! I am blessed to have had the privilege to meet and talk with her through many years of attending Sewing Weekend. How wonderful that you are carrying on her creativity.
Estelle Schultz
What a legacy Nancy left the sewing world to inspire us all.
Cynthia Ciracks
I loved watching Nancy on TV. She made sewing look “sew” easy. Miss her.
Susan
I grew up in Beaver Dam and Nancy is a local inspiring hero for women of all ages.
Gail
I would love to make it over to Beaver Dam this summer for a visit.
Susan Griffin
I’ve watched her alot in my life. She showed every one how to do so much ! I still look for her showes. And still learn from them. And tell my friends to find her sowes. Can’t get that advice now days please keep them open for us. Love her land scape picture s thanks Nancy !
Karen
I loved watching Sewing with Nancy, she had so many great ideas. I hope to see and shop in her store one day.
Patti N
Nancy did more for the sewing community than anyone else. I can’t wait to go to this exhibit! I was so honored to be able to be in her studio audience for her 30th Anniversary show – something I will never forget. She was a treasure and we all miss her so much.
Monta Reina
Yes, I too agree, Nancy will live within the sewing community of others, especially in our hearts. I can remember meeting her at the Houston Quilting Show. What a charming lady she was. So knowledgeable and willing to share with others. I will always remember her kindness to others and her smile. May God continue to bless her family and her memory will surely last until the end of time.
Janice F
I just finished reading her book, Seams Unlikely. All I can say is WOW she accomplished so much in her short life. I to miss seeing her sewing on tv Saturday.