Welcome to Sew Suffolk Quilts

Orange peel stich pattern
Orange peel stich patter
Carolyn James enjoying a cup of tea

Hello, I’m Carolyn James

I can usually be found developing and teaching patchwork, quilting and textile classes or quilting on my longarm machine. I love creating straightforward, happy & inspiring quilts for my workshops and am now excited to be producing patterns too ...

I have enjoyed crafts and sewing since childhood and was introduced to the wonderful world of Patchwork & Quilting by my Auntie Shirley.  This love of creating quilts soon developed into a passion, and unexpectedly led me to a new career as a Patchwork & Quilting tutor in 2019.  

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Download a Free Pattern

We have lots of patterns for sale in our pattern shop. We offer printed versions and downloadable pdfs. Why not get started with one of our Free Patterns!

Download Free Pattern

Cover and spread design for the Waveney Quilt pattern

Let’s get started:

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Pattern Shop

Here you will find my latest Quilt Patterns available as a PDF download or Paper Pattern (Paper Patterns are available to UK mainland customers only and will be posted by Royal Mail first class)

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Longarm Quilting Services

We offer a professional fully computerised Longarm Quilting service. This enables your patchwork top to be quilted with consistent, high quality stitches in a variety of designs chosen by you.

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Workshops

I am passionate about encouraging my students to love their Patchwork and Quilting adventures. I teach a variety of classes and workshops, mainly at Sew& So’s of Bungay (located at Earsham Mill).

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Quilt Patterns

I am delighted to offer my Quilt Patterns (many of which I have taught in workshops) as a PDF download. In addition, paper copies are available to buy in local quilt shops or can be posted via Royal Mail (UK mainland customers only).  The patterns have all been tried and tested by my students and/or pattern testers so you can be reassured that you will enjoy making the project and find the pattern straightforward to follow    

In addition, some patterns will have a video tutorial to help with some of the trickier techniques such as Foundation Paper Piecing (FPP)

Carolyn running a workshop
Carolyn running patching fabric
Carol with a star design patch
Fabric samples bobbins and a pin cushion

Quilting is for everyone

I absolutely love teaching my workshops and classes, and regularly teach an Absolute Beginners Patchwork and Quilting course for those who have no previous experience and are wanting to try this wonderful hobby. For those with some experience, I design and teach two yearly Block of The Month courses to develop skills and techniques.

Add in twice weekly classes and regular workshops and I have a busy schedule! In addition, I also teach classes for Handi-Quilter Longarm owners at Pinhole Quilting in Worcestershire and can often be seen at Quilt Shows demonstrating Free Motion Quilting on both domestic and long arm machines

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Happy Customers

I love Carolyn’s classes

I love Carolyn’s classes. I have attended many of her sessions as well as her longer term block of the month sampler quilt courses where I learned so much about patchwork and quilting as well as making new friends. Carolyn’s explains everything in a way that gives you confidence to achieve the finished result.
Juliet, Wenhaston, Suffolk.

Wonderful long arming service

I wanted to pass on my sincere thanks to you for providing such a wonderful long arming service. Over the past 3 years you have taken care of many quilts which there have been a variety of sizes and styles. You have always offered guidance and suggestions regarding pantograph options together with thread colour. Turnaround times are set and met; you have even managed to squeeze in the odd quilt at very short notice for which I have been very grateful.
I wish you all the success with your new venture, I’m sure you’ll get a keen following, not that you need any help you already have many admirers.
Marion - Bressingham

I have learnt so much through Carolyn

I am fairly new to sewing and quilting so I joined a beginners sample block quilt course run by Carolyn. She had designed a beautiful quilt which covered a range of different skills. At each monthly session we were given templates and easy to follow written instructions. She also gave many practical step by step demonstrations and taught us in a relaxed and calm manner.
Nothing is ever too much trouble and she has a great sense of humour! I have learnt so much through Carolyn and really look forward to every session.
Dianne, Poringland

Carolyn is in love with her work and very talented

When first meeting Carolyn it is apparent that she is in love with her work and very talented. I am a repeat customer and have learned to trust her advice and experience, she has a natural eye for colour and what works but lets you make the final choices. You will be absolutely delighted with the finish and can’t wait to start another.
Pat, Holton

Carolyn is a great teacher

I attended Carolyn’s Suffolk Sampler Course, one day a month over the course of a year and really enjoyed it. Carolyn is a great teacher. The classes are really relaxed with lots of laughter. I’ve learned, there are no mistakes that can’t be fixed and anyone can make a quilt 😊.
Carolyn is very knowledgeable and professional and has so many tips and ideas to make things more straightforward. I would highly recommend anyone taking one of her classes and have booked on another one for next year. It’s also a brilliant confidence builder so I would say - just go for it!
Katy

I have no hesitation in recommending her work

Carolyn has quilted three quilts for me and I have been delighted with all of them . The first one I visited her studio and spent some time choosing design and thread, but the other two I completely left it all to Carolyn, with fantastic results. I have no hesitation in recommending her work.
Margaret

I wouldn’t take my quilts anywhere else

I took a Liberty quilt to Carolyn a little over a year ago and recently she had my precious hand sewn hexagon flower quilt . On both occasions she took the time to go through the quilting options with me and I left feeling happy and confident that I had been able to explore all the possibilities and that I had chosen the best pattern for my quilt top. I was very pleased with the results.
Carolyn is a professional in every way - her sewing knowledge and skills are first rate and she also has the gift of ensuring her customer’s wishes are a priority. I wouldn’t take or send my quilts anywhere else .
Sue - Scole