Sewing is not a solitary craft. Sewing is a community. Our grandmothers’ sewing bees, church bazaars, and even modern-day sewing or quilting guilds and retreats are all sewing communities. Much like my teaching career and business—not solitary—made possible by a community of people helping me—you helping me.
Another example of a sewing community is Nancy’s Corner. I feel part of my job is to share positive information with Sewing With Nancy viewers. I’m compelled to connect the dots. The last segment of each Sewing With Nancy TV show is dedicated to Nancy’s Corner. Within five minutes, I share insights and inspiration of people helping others or making a difference in our sewing and quilting community. People like Terry Grahl from Enchanted Makeovers—a volunteer group that performs makeovers of shelters for women and children. 
Susan Hudson, a Native American Quilter who pays tribute to her ancestors through quilting.
And Annie, Maggie and Natalie—Students from the University of Wisconsin, Stout—who created an evacuation harness for the safety of those bound to wheelchairs.
You can find ALL things Sewing With Nancy at nancyzieman.com Under the words Sewing With Nancy are tabs. Click on:
- “Videos” tab—These are sorted in alphabetical order by title. To fine tune your video search, use SELECT CATEGORY’s drop down box, make a selection and click Apply. (Select Nancy’s Corner to view previous guest segments.)
- “Nancy’s Corner” tab—You get a complete list of all Nancy’s Corner guests including their information and links to their websites.
- “Schedule” tab—gives you a list of all PBS stations.
- For purchasing reference materials, click on the yellow box titled, Sewing With Nancy Books and DVDs.
In Seams Unlikely, I share the story of my life and career and how it’s connected with dots. My family, friends, coworkers, and viewers have all contributed dots that have impacted my life and propelled my career.
Most recently, at Seams Unlikely events, my life has been impacted by you—you sharing dots (stories) of how reading Seams Unlikely has stirred memories of how the sewing and/or quilting community has affected your life. 
Sarah Anne (sash) Hazlewood shared, “I started quilting a couple of years ago & found your video on You tube. No Google required—I recognized the source of your beautiful smile right away. My mother had Bell’s Palsy while pregnant with me. She would barely agree to be in photos—and there you were on You tube! It brought happy tears to my eyes. I was delighted to see you this weekend in Puyallup. Now I know that you are, in person, clever & humble & funny & sweet. Your talk inspired my quilting & your courage makes my heart sing.”
Mary Green shared, “Nancy, I have enjoyed watching your sewing program on local PBS stations in several states while we were an active-duty Army family. And, I learned so much from you. Thank you for all you’ve taught me and others. Our daughter is now designing and selling her own line of children’s clothing, and she learned to sew from me, so I’ve passed on a lot of what you taught me. God bless…”
Terri shared, “Thanks for your years of dedication to all of your viewers. My grandmothers began teaching me sewing at a very young age, but both passed away too soon. You have continued to teach all of us in a way that gives us the tools for success in many projects. I quit sewing for some years because of a difficult life situation, but was encouraged to begin again while I began to watch your shows once again. Thank you..”
Susan shared, “Dear Nancy, I have enjoyed watching your TV show for many years. In fact, looking forward to it helped me get through many a hard work week. I have many of your books, DVDs, etc., but this book is like the icing on the cake. Getting to know you—the Nancy behind the camera—will be great. I am already in tears watching the video and reading the sample chapter. Thanks so much for sharing your life with us.”
Thank you to the sewers, quilters, and machine embroiderers of our community. Thank you for providing dots, sharing dots, and connecting dots within our community.
Read a Seams Unlikely sample chapter online or view the video
I’ve written a lot of books, but this is the first book without a single sewing or quilting tip or technique. To read a sample chapter, visit SeamsUnlikey.com and click on “The Book”.
Or, view this short video.
There’s a lot more in the book!
Seams Unlikely is a 300 page book with an extra 16-page section of photos. The book is now available in stores. For a listing of stores/web sites where Seams Unlikely is available, visit SeamsUnlikey.com and click on ”Where to Purchase”.
A portion of the proceeds from book sales will be donated to adoption services.
Read an online article from Book Fun Magazine, see page 52.
Ebooks now available
Seams Unlikely is now available at Amazon for Kindle readers, on Google Play for Android devices, at Barnes and Noble for the Nook and from Apple in iBook formats. Enter search words, “Seams Unlikely”.
We’re giving away two copies of Seams Unlikely. Please leave a comment below to qualify for book giveaways.
Bye for now,
Nancy Zieman—author, pattern designer, businesswomen, producer, and national sewing authority—is the host of the popular show Sewing With Nancy®, which appears exclusively on public television stations across the United States and Canada. Follow Nancy’s Blog at NancyZieman.com/Blog and sign up to receive Nancy’s E-News for the latest news in Sewing, Quilting, & Creating.
Content in this feed is © copyright 2014 by Nancy Zieman and may not be republished without written permission. You’re welcome to forward the email to a friend or colleague but it’s not okay to add the RSS feed automatically as content on a blog or other website.
Thank you for the inspiration and knowledge that you have so graciously shared with us. Thank you for the giveaway.
I’ve enjoyed sewing since I learned in junior high and have enjoyed watching you for many years. There are not nearly enough sewing programs on TV to suit me. I have a hard time finding you too now. Many years ago, I sent a hint to you. It was published in one of your books and you sent me a free copy of that book. I sure felt special. Keep up the good work and maybe someday we can convince the television decision makers to show more programs like yours.
I watch your show whenever possible and was inspired by the sewing machine project on Nancy’s corner. I brought it up at our last guild meeting and we hope to incorporate the concept to encourage new members who would like to learn to sew and quilt but do not have a sewing machine.
I like your blog but really do not want all the responses from everyone clogging up my inbox. How do I keep the blog but eliminate the comments from coming to me?
Every Sat am , I turn on PBs-Detroit channel to watch your show. Though I get up every am from Mon to Friday at 6.45 to make coffee and lunch for my husband, I just have to set the clock for Sat at 6.30 am.I love your shows and getting your newsletters are a plus. I have been looking for your book here in Newfoundland, and haven’t come across it yet. Maybe soon. It would be a pleasant surprise if I was lucky to win it. Keep up the very interesting shows and good luck with your book reviews.
Nancy
Like many others, I am inspired by you. I started watching Sewing With Nancy 12years ago, about 10 1/2 years before I started sewing:-) I have alway loved watching you create right before my eyes. I want to take up sewing back then but honestly I didn’t have the courage to try or should I say the courage to overcome the sewing blunders. I am happy to say that I am now a resident in Sewland! I DVR your program every week and I will remain a faithful viewer, always! You are a wonderful teacher and mentor.
Thank You
Just a big thank you for all that you do and share with us! I’m sewing better because of you and your inspiration.
I would love to read your book. Thanks for the giveaway.
Thank you for the inspiration and knowledge that you’ve so graciously shared for so many years. I look forward to sewing with you for many more.
Nancy, you have always been an inspiration to me throughout the years, enjoy your shows, tips, techniques, and for having all the notions I could ever want. Thank you and know that you are appreciated!
You are truly my inspiration. Love to learn more.
I am in the process of starting a sewing based business, after falling ill three years ago and no longer being able to do what I had planned on. Would love a little inspiration at the not so old but not so young, age of 31.
You can do it!
I taught myself sewing by watching my mom quilt and make us girls the only clothing we wore until we were in high school. My parents had challenging job positions and our family had many struggles, but we could always find her sewing away till late into the night. Through those years I learned it was the best time to talk and be with her. During my high school struggles I turned to sewing for comfort. Fast forward to my marriage, my own family medical and financial struggles, and finding Sewing With Nancy on the air. Through it all my saving grace has been learning professional techniques and eventually creating my own sewing studio. In hindsight, I was doing just as my mom did to cope with all that life had thrown my way. Sewing was her therapy just as it became mine. We all have a story and I am looking forward to experiencing yours through print very soon.
Nancy, your books sounds like an interesting read. When I was growing up, I was teased about my underbite. Won’t repeat the names I was called, but like you I tried not to let it bother me or bring down my self esteem. I lived with it for 26 years until I had surgery to correct it. Not because of appearances, but to prevent future problems with my hearing, which doctors told me could be an issue. I’m looking forward to reading your story. Thanks for your inspiration in all you do.
Thanks for the chance to win!
Glad to see an e version
thanks for the chance
I am learning a lot watching your shows and would love to have one of your books in my quilting book stash!!
I watch your show every week and have for many, many years. One thing I do miss is readers tips. You used to have that segment at the end of your shows. I hope you consider bringing that back to your show.
Congratulations on the book.!
Jan, I answered reader tips for 24 years and decided it was time for a change. How knows, we may include a segment on reader tips in the future!
Creative people have such a strong spirit about them and are always giving of themselves to others.
I’ve kept up with your programs and books for many years. my daughter was a little girl when I shopped at a store you promoted in Wisconsin. She is 41 now. I’m so happy for your success. It would be nice to win a book. Blessings, as you continue your ministry of sewing.
I enjoyed meeting and talking with you at Quilt Expo in September. I am the one that got Bell’s Palsy from an orthodontist 30 years ago. I see you will be here in Cincinnati/Sharonville in June. If you need a helper for your sessions I would be honored to help you. See you then.
Donna, I look forward to seeing you in June. Thanks for the offer. One of my staff members will be my assistant.
I enjoyed meeting and talking with you at Quilt Expo last Sept. I’m the one who got Bell’s Palsy from an orthodontist. I read you will be here in Cincinnati/Sharonville in June. If you need a helper while you are here I’d be honored to help you during your sessions.
Wonderful stories – thanks!
Thanks for your inspiration!
Thank you for the wonderful shows. I record them all! I flunked sewing when I was making a shift (as they were called!) and I was so frustrated putting the zipper in, I sewed it completely up. But I loved sewing so much that I started making all my mothers clothes and all of my own western clothes. I sewed my own layette and all their costumes. Now our daughter is having our first grandchild and is sewing baby clothes. I am now into quilting. Keep up the good work!
Thanks Nancy for all that you have taught me. I have been watching your shows for over 20 years.And got lucky enough to see you in person in Southern CA.
When I started learning to sew, I felt I was totally on my own — my grandmother and mother are gone, my stepdaughters are in different parts of the country, I have no close family or friends who could help me learn. But I have the library, where I can find many resource books, and I have Nancy on the PBS channel and the website, who not only offers advice, but demonstrates it in videos. Thank you for making a big difference!
when i retired i had not sewed in 35 years. watching you inspired me to try it again. since then i have learned quilting and machine embroidery all from you. i can’t thank you enough for giving my life meaning again
Many years ago I lived in a rural area and public television was one of the few television channels that I was able to get. Once I discovered ‘Sewing With Nancy’ my sewing interest was renewed. I planned my Saturday around your show, I loved the tidbits from viewers that you shared at the end of your show, I bought booklets from each show from Nancy’s Notions. I would await the mailman, ripping open my packet with your return address on it. I cannot tell you how much your show has meant to me over the past 30 years that I have watched. You are an inspiration. Thank you for all that you have done, are doing and will do in the future.
thank you for sharing your story. i can’t wait to read your book.
Keep up the good work!
I look foward to reading your book. I admire all of your work, Thank you for bringing your knowledge and expertise to the home sewer!
I look foward to reading book. I admire your work and am thankful for all the knowlege you bring to those who love to sew!!
As many before me have said “you’ve inspired my inner self through sewing” that is my thought also. It happened at a Sewing Expo in Puallyp many years ago. Bought two of your books and the rest is history. Thank you for being you.
Jerrie Lynn
Thanks for the chance to win a book that I would really love to read!!!! I watch your show all the time that we can get it and enjoy and have learned many things from you. Also have most of your books. Keep on sewing and making a difference!!!!!!
Would love to win a copy of your book. I’ve been a fan since I started watching your show in the 1980′s when we were living in Alaska. Still watching and learning new things.
Your information is timeless! You seem to have overcome lots of obstacles to achieve a high level of success in a the world of sewing. Your story is worth reading!
Would love to read your book… Our station does not carry your show, but I watch on line…
thanks
Received your book several days ago. Oh, I wish I didn’t have so many other distractions so I could keep “reading to the very end”.
Nancy, thank you for entrusting God with your life and thus, blessing so many others. Besides reading SEAMS UNLIKELY, I am getting to know you much better by the ‘comments’ of others:-)
Nancy, thanks so much for all you have done for the sewing world! I was taught to sew at 7 yrs by my mom. I have enjoyed sewing and creating for over six decades. In 2000 I had brain surgery for a tumor which left me with equilibrium problems.
Your words “what happens to us does not define who we are, unless we let it” brought tears to my eyes. That is so very true.
My achievements are not of the caliber of yours, but sewing is a staple of my life. I do look forward to reading more of your book.
Kathy, thank you for writing and telling a little of your story. You accomplishments shouldn’t be compared to anyone else. In each of our ways, we have overcome!
Like you I had Bell’s Palsy after the birth of my oldest in 1977. The doctors didn’t have a clue what caused it and unlike you it went away on its own, but I recently had an episode of some nerve sensations on the left side of my face after visiting my doctor. I had to see another doctor who documented it, but it gave me a scare. I started sewing after developing a curiosity about my mother’s sewing machine when I was about 4 or 5 years of age. This lead me to sewing in Girl Scouts, Home Economics classes in high school and a major in the field in college. Now retired, I recently saw an article about the obesity epidemic and Dr. Robert Lustig, a UCSF Pediatric Endrocrinologist has called for a return of Home Economics classes! Yee Ha! Living skills benefits everyone, not just cooking and sewing!
You have thought me lots, thru your videos and booklets. I hope you keep them coming. Although to still cannot insert a zipper like you do, I keep trying to learn. Thanks, so much, for talking time to help me and others. You are an inspiration!
Nancy thanks for being an inspiration to me, as well, I love your show, tutorials, and products
I started watching your show because I didn’t have anyone to teach me to sew. In the books and videos I’ve purchase it made me feel as though you were teaching just me. I’ve learned a lot from you, and still have so much left to learn. Thank you for being my teacher!
I love to watch your shows and videos. Your guidance through certain techniques always enhances my own sewing skills. I would love to have a copy of your new book. It is so sad that sewing isn’t taught in schools these days. So many young girls (and some boys) would like to learn how to sew if they just had the opportunity. It is my dream to one day open a little place where kids, and adults, can come and learn to sew. You can bet there will be a big screen TV with Nancy’s videos playing on it and a bookshelf filled with her books. Many thanks for all you do and the inspiration you provide to your community.
You are such an inspiration to me. God has blessed you “sew” much and, as a good steward, you have been and continue to pass on your talent to us. I love your TV show and the many U-tube excerpts that I can watch whenever I have the time. May you be continually blessed. My thanks!!
I have learned so much from your programs, videos & books. It would be nice to read the story of one who likes to create like myself.
There are many people who do provide inspiration, and you certainly have been one of those. While I am new to your site, and not a TV viewer, your reflections on what a community can bring to each one. My sewing is still foclussed on catchup fixes, as I transition to widow status and life changes. Thanks for giving new ideas, such as Enchanted Makeovers for where talents are needed.
Thanks for ALL that you do! I love watching your shows for the education and the inspiration!!! I can’t wait to read your new book!!
Nancy, I would love to win a copy of your book. You still inspire me to keep plugging away to improve my sewing skills these last twenty some years. I was disappointed not to meet you last October. I had to cancel my trip to Maryland due to family problems.Maybe next time. Best to you.
Saturdays are Sewing with Nancy and a cup of good coffee. New sewing ideas, well-presented in an organized manner by knowledgeable, personable sewers. . And Nancy’s Corner spotlights sewers reaching out to help others via their sewing skills. Yup! Saturday’s are Sewing with Nancy.
Nancy:
I have watched your show for years and have loved every segment, tip that you have given.
Thank you very much for being brave enough to go on TV and show all of us how to sew and use the many notions that are out there.
Would love to win & learn more about Nancy. She makes every technique look doable & has instilled a confidence in sewing in me that I might not otherwise have. Awesome, classy lady!
I have watched you for years and enjoyed every segment you have done! Your instruction is simple but thorough so everyone can follow and be a success. My whole family knows not to interrupt me when “Nancy” is on! Thank you for your dedication to us.
Hi Nancy! I have watched your show for years and learn something new every time. I like to see the notions you use, too. Great show, great tips and great products. Can’t wait to read your book!
I have been watching you on PBS for years. Too many to mention.. Have learned a great deal . My sewing and crafting skills have been elevated thanks to you and your wonderful guests.. Keep up the great work. I would be lost without you.. You are like an old friend. Hoping for many more years of great products and ideas..
Thanks for sharing, what sounds like, a very inspiring story. I would love to read it. I am teaching my daughter to sew and we watch you on tv and on the computer. You have helped us learn so much.
Some of my favorite shortcuts were learned by watching your show. I always enjoy your approach to sewing.
I have watched Sewing With Nancy for many years and bought some of your books and notions. Now your book answers many of the questions I have had over the years. Thanks for sharing with us. I would love to have a copy of the eBook should I bed so lucky. Then if my hard copy doesn’t come back to me I can still go back to reread your story for inspiration.
May God bless you in all your work and life!
Having followed you for years on TV, it will be a pleasure to read about the real “you”. You are always so natural and confident as you speak to your followers that you are a source of inspiration for people who dread being in front of a group of people. Thank you for telling us how you learned to be the woman you are today.
I think you are an amazing and beautiful woman. Both inside and out and that is what is important! I have learned so much from all your sewing activities!
Nancy you are an inspiration and a hard worker. You provide endless inspiration through all your activities. My partner is a professional artist so I know how hard this type of work is.
I would love to read your book!
I anxiously await Saturday mornings for your show. That is how I start my weekends. Even in retirement, it is still a priority for me. Even though I have never met you, I feel I know you and you are a friend, and want to know more. Would love to have your book. God bless for all you give of yourself to us the viewers.
Love your “hints” at the end of your show. I always think -why didn’t I think of that?
If you want to see how Nancy looks
and know what she thinks or does,
Pick up a copy of her book
It even tells how she was.
It tells of lovely parents
And family fine indeed
And worthy life and living
and heartfelt sewing seed
Into the lives of others.
Her example will provide
for each a constant message
of walking with God beside.
Her honesty in suffering
Her onward, upward aim
Will inspire as we read it
And we’ll want to do the same.
Brenda J Wood- from Canada
Dear Brenda, You’re quite a poet! Thank you for writing such a touching poem. I’m honored that you took time to pen this wonderful verse and for those kind words.
I also find your show and blog very informative. Would love to read your book.
Would love your book