Most everyone that quilts or sews knows the name Nancy Zieman, and with this book I felt like I really got to know Nancy! Seams Unlikely is a quickly paced read with lots of great insights into Nancy’s childhood, and inspirational stories of her career. Nancy wrote this book, just like she talks – at times it seemed like she was reading to me, even! In the process of writing the book Nancy interviewed family members and co-workers, that have become like family over the years, and the little bits of shared experiences were so fun to read.

Nancy shared that her lack of confidence, and introvert tendencies, were pushed aside when asked to give demonstrations as a girl in 4-H. It was in those few moments of teaching that she was truly in her element and excited to share her love of sewing with others! Nancy’s health challenges began early in life, with Bell’s Palsy, knee problems, and multiple surgeries are all cataloged in the book, and each met with determination to not let them slow her down. Her goals were never pushed aside, she simply worked harder to get to where she wanted to be!

Nancy’s Notions started out of necessity, as Nancy traveled all over Wisconsin and surrounding states to give sewing demonstrations. She would sell the notions after the demo, and also collected names and addresses for a catalog mailing, often in the rural areas, the helpful notions weren’t available, and she was fulfilling a need for the sewists. The catalog started out with just a few items on a one page flyer and has grown exponentially since.  The same is true of everything Nancy does, she finds what people want to learn and teaches them how to do it! Quite an inspiration!

*I highly recommend this book! In fact I have a copy to giveaway – leave me a comment, about your first or favorite Nancy moment!

I have watched Sewing with Nancy (of course) but my favorite Nancy moment is when I was introduced to her by a staff member (Hi Deanna!) and had a few moments to chat about Market happenings. Nancy is always gracious and kind!

Visit Nancy’s blog to learn more about why she decided to write the book, see some of the pictures included in the book, and enter to win one of 20 copies of Seams Unlikely!

There are lots of stops on this blog tour, check out some of the other reviews too ::

February 4          Nancy Zieman
February 5          Eileen Roche
February 5          Pat Sloan
February 6          Melissa Stramel
February 6          The Long Ladies
February 6          Tori Thompson
February 7          Amy Barickman
February 7          Melissa Mora
February 8          Shari Butler
February 8          Vicki Christensen
February 9          Carolina Moore
February 9          Kate Mclvor
February 10          Amy Ellis
February 10          Melissa Mortenson
February 11          Ilene Miller
February 11          Liz Hicks
February 11          Rachael Pannepacker
February 12          Bill Gardner
February 12          Elizabeth Evans
February 13          Amy Webb
February 13          Lindsay Wilkes
February 14          Gertie Hirsch
February 14          Veronica Philips
February 15          Jenny Gabriel
February 15          Laura Wasilowski
February 16          Frieda Anderson
February 16          Rita Farro
February 17          Cindy Cloward
February 17          Joan Hawley
February 17          Patty Young
February 18          Nancy Zieman