We are incredibly proud of our long-standing and highly successful collaboration with Debbie Shore, one of Search Press’s bestselling and most published authors. Over many years, Debbie has become a cornerstone of our sewing and quilting list, publishing an extraordinary body of work that continues to inspire makers around the world.
Debbie is renowned not only for her technical expertise but also for her calm, encouraging teaching style and her exceptional ability to make sewing feel accessible and enjoyable. Whether guiding complete beginners or offering fresh ideas to experienced sewists, her clear instructions, practical projects and friendly tone have earned her a loyal and ever-growing audience.
One of the defining achievements of Debbie’s publishing journey with Search Press is the Half Yard® series, which has grown into one of our most recognisable and best-loved brands. Beginning with Half Yard Heaven and expanding to include Half Yard Christmas, Half Yard Gifts and Half Yard Kids, the series has consistently delivered clever, fabric-efficient projects that speak directly to the needs of modern makers. The Half Yard concept has continued to evolve with the popular seasonal collections – Half Yard Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter – as well as curated bundles and landmark editions such as Half Yard Heaven: 10-Year Anniversary Edition, which celebrates the enduring appeal and creativity of the range.
Debbie’s creativity and versatility extend far beyond the Half Yard series. Her Build a Bag Book series, covering backpacks, satchels, tote bags and occasion bags, have become essential resources for bag makers, combining brilliant designs with clear construction techniques. Alongside these, books such as Sew Useful, Sew Baby, Sew Brilliant Bags, Sew Outdoor Living, Sew Maddie and Sew Gnomes highlight Debbie’s remarkable range, and her hands-on understanding of what sewists love to create.
Debbie has also supported sewists in developing their technical confidence through more skills-focused titles, including the Sewing Room Secrets series (covering machine sewing, essential dressmaking skills and quilting), as well as thoughtful, forward-looking books such as Sew Eco-Friendly and Refashion, Restyle, Restitch, which encourage sustainable and mindful making. More recently, A Year of Quilting brings together Debbie’s passion for quilting and teaching in a beautifully structured format that inspires creativity throughout the year.
Beyond print publishing, Debbie has played a key role in helping Search Press grow and experiment in the digital space. As one of our bestselling authors, she runs the Half Yard Sewing Club, an online subscription platform that offers members exclusive access to over £3,000 worth of sewing patterns, new projects released every month, and more than 200 hours of video tutorials. The club also features monthly livestreams and sew-alongs, allowing members to sew alongside Debbie and connect with a vibrant community of fellow sewing enthusiasts. The Sewing Club has become a standout example of how thoughtfully developed digital content can successfully complement and enhance traditional craft publishing and won the Haremi Digital Publishing Award at the IPG awards in 2019.
Debbie shares our commitment to producing books and resources that are practical, inspiring and genuinely useful. Her body of work with Search Press is a testament to her creativity and deep connection with her audience. We are immensely proud of all Debbie has achieved with Search Press and excited to continue creating together as her publishing journey goes from strength to strength.
