Mari Heidt is a college professor and avid sewist who spent much of her life living in Wisconsin. For years Mari shopped at the Nancy’s Notions retail store and she attended the store’s annual warehouse sale for nearly two decades. When she heard the recent news that the store was closing, Mari says she was sad, but not surprised. Here’s why:
I read recently that Nancy’s Notions is closing its retail store in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, and has discontinued Sewing Weekend and the yearly warehouse sale. This makes me really sad, and I’m sure anyone who knew the store and Sewing Weekend will be quite sad, too.
The loss of Nancy’s store will be a blow to Beaver Dam, and I’m certainly sorry for that. I’m more sorry to see the Nancy’s brand declining. Two of my best friends and I, all avid sewers, went to the Nancy’s Notions store many times, and went to her warehouse sale for 17 years running, where we met Nancy several times. We saw the store and Sewing Weekend change over time, becoming less and less the kinds of places that sewers and crafters wanted to be.
When we first started going to the warehouse sale and the weekend events, it was really fun and really busy. There were classes with national teachers, some of whom also gave free demos, “make and take it” areas, a quilt raffle by the local quilt group, and deals on books, fabrics, and notions that changed by the day and sometimes by the hour. There was also the fabric, from all different manufacturers and all at really slashed prices. You would wait to get things cut and the people behind the counter were a part of the fun, always good natured and happy to help. Almost all of the people working the sale were regular employees and really knew how to help. Most customers were also good-natured, and some parked a long way away and rode to Nancy’s on a school bus shuttle. If you got there early you could park in the VFW field across the street, but you did have to get there early. The entire event was well organized and centered on making a good experience for the quilters, sewers, artists, and other crafters who attended and shopped.
After the sale to Tacony in 2003, all of this gradually went away. Many of the vendors stopped coming, and we definitely missed some of the people who had come every year and had run fun demos and giveaways. The show got smaller and smaller, with fewer and fewer classes and other events and a decline in the notions and fabric offered. Where the entire warehouse had once been open for the sale, now only a small portion of it was open to customers. Where once there had been a lot of fabric of all types offered by the yard, there was now a limited amount of fabric offered only in pre-cut lengths.
Worst of all, it was almost completely joyless. The people who loved fabric and notions and had helped us year after year seemed to be completely gone. The last time we went, we parked right by the building and left after half an hour. There was nothing left for us at the warehouse.
Nancy Zieman
“I can’t explain what happened here, but I know that it didn’t have to be like this. Nancy’s Notions became a successful brand, not because of Nancy Zieman’s personality but because she was a savvy businesswoman who knew her customers and their needs and shared their enthusiasm for the craft.”
Other people have those same skills and (importantly) a love of the craft as she had. It seems clear that there’s a disconnect between the company and the many types of crafters they would like to serve.
Sewing Weekend was a successful event that connected with these crafters. When it no longer connected, it simply died. In announcing the closure of the retail store in the local paper, Tacony also announced that a “brand refresh” was in the works. I sincerely hope that this refresh includes a return to the connection with the people who made the brand vibrant and successful to begin with.
As Nancy Zeiman said, “the love of sewing is our common thread.” This thread connects us to the companies we support as well and can connect us to Nancy’s again with the right leadership and an infusion of enthusiasm and joy that is sorely lacking now.
I couldn’t agree more! I certainly looked forward to visiting the retail store a few times a year, going to the Sewing Weekend warehouse sale, and stopping for lunch at a local little family restaurant. Tacony, take notes!!! Nancy knew the business and her customers!
And the change has even affected the catalog. I used to get the catalog and dog ear mark my wish list. Now I don’t see anything I like and want.
I can’t even request a catalog. And I’m a long time purchaser if Nancy’s notions. Have her books, notions, lots of things!
Have you reached out to Missouri Star? I’m sure they can help you.
Corporations dud in NN. Right now I’m trying to find the magnetic sticker pad her catalog sold that is attached to sewing machine right bed. Then one slides pins to right so no desk mess. Hello to all NN fans.
This is an interesting piece on Tacony Corporation which purchased Nancy’s Notions in 2003. I hope Nancy’s Notions can make a come-back in the future.
https://www.referenceforbusiness.com/history/St-Th/Tacony-Corporation.html
Thanks for this article. This company sure owns a bit. I owned a riccar vacuum and it worked great for over 30 years. I hope they can keep Nancy’s going. I always look forward to the catalog and get gift cards every Christmas.
Kathy,
I also have a Riccar product, a sewing machine! I bought it when my husband and I married in 1971. It sews great. Only weighs 42 pounds! I sewed so many clothes, curtains, quilts, maternity dresses, everything. Love it.
And also my Baby Lock Espire.
Karla, 05/16/2020.
As a frequent shopper, class and club attendee for 24 years, I am thankful for the many friendships and education Nancy’s Notions have given me over those years. I truly doubt Tacony, whether you can gain my friendship back. By closing this store, you have lost my devotion and trust.
All I know is, when big corporations take over, greed becomes the driving force behind the company; however, customers need and demand more than that.
It sounds very much like when F+W Media took over Interweave/Quilting Arts along with many other specialty magazines. They were interested in a quick profit to the detriment of the long term health of the company, and totally ignored the needs and interests of the customers. It declared bankruptcy. Earlier, it had purchased Keepsake Quilting, and it went downhill–they sold it, and now Keepsake is being revived by people who love quilting and are committed to make KQ what it once was. Sad.
I loved the Original Interweave and I treasure my timeless old Spin-Off magazines. When I complained to the new owners about the magazine’s drastic decline, they sent me a snotty reply. They dropped all of the well-known master spinners and fiber experts and turned the magazine into hobbyist garbage. They deserve to go bankrupt. Hopefully, the new owners of Keepsake Quilting will restore it to its original glory.
We sold to Nancy’s Notions and she was a great supporter of my business. We went thru the transition with Tacony Corporation ownership. We have nothing critical to say about them and have enjoyed a continued business relationship. I know that when founders or creators retire or pass on things will change. The business climate for brick and mortar is difficult to say the least. Cardie Molina, Oilcloth International…winner for best Innovative Product HIA – Chalkcloth – in 1997. Nancy wrote a great project book about this product. Thank you!
Greedy, indifferent Tacony totally destroyed what made Nancy’s Notions great. They turned the unique business into a grossly overpriced, crashing bore that abandoned the diverse garment sewing community that loved Nancy and made her famous.
I go all the way back to Nancy’s print and Web catalogs with their unique VHS videotape rental library. In the 1990’s, all of the taped tutorials were coordinated with her lively PBS-TV programs which we looked forward to on weekends.
Sadly, all Nancy did after her company’s demise was recycle old quilting and crafts projects on top-of-the-line BabyLock machines that weren’t required for such simple projects. No popular-priced machines that had most of the same features were used. That in itself was dishonest because Brother manufactures BabyLock. They make a full range of essentially identical machines for less under their own badge.
Sadly, home garment sewing hit the skids years ago. It desperately needs rejuvenation which keeps pace with real-world designer fashion. Today’s machine manufacturers and pattern companies continually fail to deliver on that because they have no interest in sewing and they couldn’t care less about it.
The largest factory-authorized sewing machine dealer in the major city where I live is a totally incompetent foreigner who rudely admits that. If you don’t know exactly what you want before going there, shop somewhere else. I do! Complaints to the snotty manufacturers fall on deaf ears because his new machine sales quotas are met. That’s the sole interest in their mistreated customers.
The nearest reliable Bernina dealer is a 60-mile round-trip drive from my home. Thankfully, my beloved Swiss-made machine is built like a tank and it never needs repairs. I can clean it myself.
The passing of irreplaceable notions catalog experts like Nancy and Clotilde and the retirement of couture-level instructors like Shirley Adams and Martha Pullen ended easy access to professional-grade sewing products.
The sale of couture pattern companies like Vogue to awful, non-sewing conglomerates ended all of the fabulous Paris and US-licensed clothing designs. Now ripoff mainstream patterns are just trendy rejects from no-name designers and tacky beginner-level stuff that belongs in middle school home ec classes. Nothing fashionable women would wear.
We loved going to annual sewing Expos, but they failed here years ago because greedy, non-sewing promoters priced all of the fine fabric artists and small specialist businesses out of them. The only exhibitors who can afford them now are out-of-town sewing machine dealers selling premium-priced equipment and quilt fabric shops trying to dump dead stock at high mark-ups.
I no longer spend serious money on sewing, mainly because the garment patterns are horrible. Having every OEM accessory and attachment made for my machine, I only copy trendy, disposable items for fun now. Buying RTW designer clothing on sale is more economical and certainly much easier.
Wow, very insightful. Thank you.
When Tacony took over NN will still thriving it’s only when the daughter (Kristy Tacony Humes) started running the company that things started going downhill. Kristy has no clue how to run a company (if you don’t believe me, ask the people she has fired, forced out or still work for her – if they are willing to be honest). The only skill Kristy Tacony is good at is dressing up and redecorating. She should have become an interior decorator instead of trying to run a business – decorating is a profession more suited for her interests.
Kristy implemented a new computer system here at the Tacony company and she worked on implementing this system for more than 2.5 years and come to find out…it’s not even the right system Tacony needs! So what does that tell you about Kristy and her business acumen?
Many of us fear coming in to work and the doors being closed and locked.
When her dad Mr. Ken Tacony was running this company, he ran this company! He knew his employees, he knew business and he knew how to make money. Sadly, the only thing Kristy Tacony knows how to do is spend money and run a business into the ground, pretty much like what has happened to NN. Kristy Tacony Humes, you bit off more than you could chew trying to run the Tacony business.
Kristi Tacony Humes destroyed legendary Nancy’s Notions in only 3.5 years.
She became CEO of Tacony in January 2016. Nancy Zieman died in November 2017. Closure of NN was announced in June 2019.
Thankfully, Nancy wasn’t here to see her name and lifetime of great work flushed away by an entitled idiot.
Another sad loss. Quilting great Kaye Wood died from a heart attack last weekend.
I’ve been sewing (mostly happy) for over 50 years. When I found NN shortly after Nancy opened it, I almost jumped out of my skin because I was so happy. Finally, a place where I could find just about anything sewing related and have been a fan. When I heard the Nancy sold NN to Tacony I was devastated! I knew what was going to happen and it did. First Clotilde, then NN. Tacony has no idea what sewists want or need in terms of not only notions but fabric also. Tacony is just another large, uncaring corporation that is ONLY interested in $$$ and improving their bottom line. Tacony/NN has now lost not only my confidence but my patronage. For me and a lot of others this is end of easy access to notions etc. I really miss Nancy and always will.
Totally agreed. I was a huge fan of the late Clotilde too. I still enjoy using her timeless book on designer RTW tailoring. IMO she had the best notions catalog. She sold unique, professional-grade items no one else had. I still have her great welt pocket maker and miss her wonderful catalogs.
I stopped buying from NN after very unfriendly Tacony ruined the legendary store with their boring, overpriced catalog. I won’t buy or recommend any of their ripoff products.
Brother makes Tacony’s BabyLock sewing machines. I have a Bernina, but the excellent Brother machines are nearly identical to the BabyLocks and they cost less.
This is so sad, Nancys Notions has been ruined. I wish they would just give it up and let her and her name RIP. I do not even get the catalogue any more, just emails. I tried to order the machine needles which were on sale and the email order did not even go through, no explanation was forthcoming when I contacted the company, just that there was no record of an order being placed. When I looked at the same email that arrived the next day, the price had risen by a great deal but was still pretending to be a sale. I will definitely never deal with them again!
Agreed. Forget Nancy’s Notions. Sadly, Tacony totally destroyed it. Other people have also complained about failed online shopping there.
Buy your machine needles and other sewing notions from Wawak in Conklin, New York: http://www.wawak.com. A free print catalog is available on request.
In business for 112 years, they usually have the lowest prices on 20,000+ name-brand products for professional sewists, tailors and designers.
I’m not affiliated with the company. Just happy with their responsive customer service and fast worldwide shipping.
I agree Wawak is a super company. I am glad to know I can requests a print catalog (which make shopping si much faster. ) Heres hoping ut hasn’t become like NN almost useless. Ihave to search any item, just to find out the important info which triples shopping time. I udualky give up and purchase elsewhere.
It is sad but entitled children, along w/ incompetent emoloyees) usually run a family business into the ground. Hate to see wgats happened to Nancy Zs store.
It was obvious from the moment NN was sold to rotten Tacony that its days were numbered.
All Nancy was allowed to do from that point on was demonstrate basic projects on premium-priced BabyLock machines. Stuff a $75 sewing machine from Walmart could easily handle.
The average sewist’s budget isn’t geared for $12,000+ sewing machines and $1,800 sergers. so Tacony essentially told most of Nancy’s devoted clients to take a hike.
However, If you’re in Spendy mode, Brother makes BabyLock machines. They’re nearly identical and less expensive. I’ve had a fabulous Swiss-made Bernina for years and won’t use anything else.
I hear you about tycoons’ entitled kids. They’ve ruined every industry in the US. The greedy bean-counters know and care nothing about what they’re selling, their sole interest is the bottom line at any cost.
Given what Tacony has done to Nancy’s legendary name and to her loyal customers, give NN what they’re asking for.
Boycott NN until it’s forced to close. Tell fellow sewists about infinitely better online stores like Wawak. Also advise them of the best in fine garment-sewing reference materials from publications like Threads mgagazine. They also have an excellent website.
I agree with you I tried to purchase a pattern from NN and never even heard back from them I loved NN catalogs I asked for one and never received it now I am wondering what are we all gonna do for our notions,patterns,etc not to mention the fabrics I am so angry and sad about this..
“Ain’t ” that the truth. And it is becoming the norm now in our country, everywhere.
I just read about the closing and it makes me sad to see a beautiful thing come to this end
It saddens me to see Nancy’s profound legacy has been set aside. Anyone could tell she worked really hard to build, establish, and maintain a company that saved so many from vendors to customers and everyone inbetween.
I have recently re-engaged with quilting in the last year and noticed that Nancy’s Notions seemed to lack “heart.” I am shopping at my local fabric and quilting shop, Three Little Birds Sewing Company, and online with Missouri Star Quilting Co. Hopefully everyone will be able to find that missing piece again. Note to the commenter about Interweave. I agree. The old Interweave was wonderful. You will be happy to know that Linda Lignor, Anne Merrow, and John Bolton started Long Thread Media to publish Handwoven, PieceWork, and Spin-Off. They bought back the rights from Interweave/Tacony.
Just to clarify, Tacony didn’t own those properties.
Thank you Abby for the clarification.
Tacony Corporation, a leading distributor and manufacturer of consumer and commercial goods, has announced its sale of Nancy’s Notions online retail business and related assets to Missouri Star Quilt Company effective May 27, 2020. The announcement was made by Tacony CEO, Kristi Tacony Humes.
The sale allows Tacony to focus on its core business markets while providing a suitable home for the Nancy’s Notions, Amazing Designs, and Sewing with Nancy brands which have been part of Tacony for over 17 years.
“We had been looking for a strategic partner with the necessary resources and expertise to help take Nancy’s Notions to the next level,” Humes said. “We feel Missouri Star Quilt Company provides Nancy’s Notions with a unique opportunity for growth because of its success and experience in both the quilting and sewing markets.”
Missouri Star Quilt Company currently offers one of the largest selections of precut fabrics in the world and ships thousands of packages to customers across the globe every day. Their YouTube channel has over 650,000 subscribers and almost 200 million views and new quilting tutorials are published every week. Their Hamilton, MO headquarters have become a tourist destination, attracting quilters from near and far who want to come experience the “Disneyland of Quilting” with 12 themed quilt shops, a retreat center and education center. What started out as a family business has grown to include an entire community.
“We are excited to add the Nancy’s Notions brand to the Missouri Star Quilt Company family,” said Missouri Star CEO Michael Mifsud. “Nancy Zieman was a great inspiration to so many and we are excited to honor her legacy and also introduce her love of sewing to a new generation of creators.”
“Our businesses remain strong and this divestiture will help us focus on the customer experience across our core brands as we move forward,” said Humes. “Delivering exceptional customer experience is our top priority and Tacony continues to challenge status quo to ensure we stay true to the values that have made us successful for over 74 years.”
As a valued vendor partner, we want you to know that all your Tacony specific product management and purchasing contacts remain unchanged.
Was sorry to hear Nancy’s was sold. I have a question. I live in Milwaukee and for years have been making dresses for African girls which we sent to Nancy’s to be sent to Africa. Do you know anything g about this or where we can send them ourselves .?
I altogether stopped getting the Nancy Notions catalog, and recently the emails stopped coming to order supplies online. No one had the stock that Nancy’s Notions had. Discouraging. Now all we get is her Sewing with Nancy on Rocky Mountain Broadcasting Service. I can’t find some of the notions that I could only get from Nancy’s Notions.
On June 3 I sent an Email and did not receive an answer. If you have any info I would appreciate it.
My neighbor has used your services as she is a quilter
This explains a lot. I never had the pleasure of visiting the B&M store, but used to love the catalogs, and then the online store. Now it is just a sick joke. The store is stocked full of gadgets that are designed to turn a profit, nothing more and the emails are the same. The simplest projects cluttered with mostly useless gadgets that a purely there for turn a quick buck. Who is there audience? An experienced crafter/artist knows better and a new crafter could not afford all that junk. This is heartbreaking to someone who more or less grew up with original broadcast Sewing with Nancy series and who owns and still refers to several of her books.
It dawned on me a couple of weeks ago that I had not received a new catalog for Nancy Notions as well as the emails from Nancy’s Notions stopped coming as well. I used to look through her catalogs to order some sewing supplies as her supplies was the most affordable. Just the other day I was trying to order some bobbins for a sewing machine that I inherited from a cousin, and the shipping and handing was going to cost more than the actual product (s) and that would not have happened with Nancy. I discovered that Missouri Star Quilt is taking over Nancy’s Notions and I am unsure that I will ever order from the store. I can get things either from Joann’s or possibly from Walmart depending on the product. There were several things that I wanted to order from Nancy’s Notions but that will not happen any more.
One more message, it would have been nice that whoever took management would have updated all of Nancy’s customers with the changes that are happening and what was coming in the future. Like who was going to take over her business and not let her beloved business decline and totally disappear. Missouri Star please keep Nancy’s brand going if possible, so many people really appreciate and enjoy her Sewing with Nancy Program.
I agree with you Anna I had no idea all this was happening very disappointed and angry the last catalog I received from NN was early winter 2019 and there were several items I wanted to purchase now I guess I will look somewhere else
For people still interested in garment sewing go to th sure fit designs website. Invest in one of the garment combos offered. I bought the entire combo package and love it. I have on line support and people with fitting knowledge. Glenda haha you tube videos also. Take a look and see if you agree.
I have moved & do not receive you brochure anymore my address is
2998 fountain ave Las Cruces NM 88007
Julia, We aren’t affiliated with Nancy’s Notions. Please reach out to their new owners, Missouri Star Quilt Company, for customer service.
They were sold, again. No catalogs or projects anymore. I no longer shop the online store. So sad and disappointing.
Who bought Nancy’s Notions
Missouri Star Quilt. It is nothing like it used to be. 😢
I have moved & do not receive you brochure anymore my address is
2998 fountain ave Las Cruces NM 88007
It appears I’ve already asked you ut still haven’t received it
Nancy’s Notions was a work of the heart. No corporation can replace the zeal for the joy of sewing, handling fabric and learning new ways to do all better. For me, just touching fabric to begin a project makes my heart sing.
I’m so glad I found this web page and learned what had happened to NN business. All the comments are truly profound and moving and I join you in the sadness at the loss of what made NN great. And of the other great sewists also mentioned. I’m proud to have known them too.
I would be grateful to know of any other means to keep learning from any programs published by Nancy as I am returning to sewing to save me from my quarantine since March 15, 2020 due to being only 85 years old.. May all remain healthy and stalwart sharers all. .
I can’t get to Beaver Dam but I loved the catalog. It was always useful to me as a non quitter but avid sewer until it was sold. I haven’t bout more than 2 items in the last 6 years. Just a couple of small, inexpensive things to get grandkids started. I can get anything else I need locally at the chain stores since I don’t quilt.I did notice after Nancy’s death that the catalog quickly changed. I’m flas quilters and embroidery machine owners have solace to buy what they need but I have all the items they offer that can be used in regular sewing. No little surprises, fun things to use when I see.
My husband and I vend at consumer sewing and quilting shows with a product we manufacture. The comments I am about to make are purely comments and should not be taken as for or against any person, company, or business decision made by a person or company. Covid 19 and the aftermath has caused widespread shortages of merchandise in many industries. The normally well oiled world wide shipping channels are still interrupted and are going to take some time to get back to “normal” or a new “normal”. Production schedules are slipping way behind and shipping from overseas now takes twice as long as pre-Covid. This includes Fed Ex and UPS worldwide, not just ocean container ships or air cargo. On a non sewing related note, all the merchandise stores normally have for Christmas might not be there just because of the current situation.
Someone, not related to Nancy’s Notions, from Missouri Star attended a show where we were vending and stopped by our booth. We spoke to him about Missouri Star and/or Nancy’s carrying our products again. This person made two comments: 1) Missouri Star is being massively and negatively impacted by the shortages and back orders. They are scrambling to get product and satisfy their customers. 2) While they had a Nancy’s pop-up store in Hamilton, the current situation is impacting working on how they are going to integrate Nancy’s into their business. I got the impression nothing much will happen until “normal” returns.
I know this is a long shot and maybe not even appropriate for this area, but I am looking for the following books by Nancy Zieman.
1. Change -Up Patchwork
2. Quilt with Carefree Curves Bk2714
Does anyone have one they’re no longer using or want/need? I would be willing to purchase for a reasonable price.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
I have been searching for Nancy’s Notions products recently. There are precious few (two to four on any given day) Nancy’s Notions products offered through Missouri Star. Eventually I discovered Nancy Zieman Productions (NZP), run by Nancy’s widower Rich Zieman. You may wish to visit https://nancyzieman.com/blog/retail-store/ to see if their offerings are helpful. @Abby Riba, your comment is the best I’ve seen to explain why virtually all Nancy’s Notions products have disappeared. Thank you for clearing things up.
I mourned Nancy and then mourned the loss of her legacy (the store). The catalogs stopped arriving and the web site was gone. So many I could no longer find. I have just been notified that Nancy’s is being revived. I am so happy.