quilting room tour

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Quilting Room Tour with Photos and Product Links

I decided to give you all a look into my quilting room, aka my studio, today. This room is starting to feel complete with a large sewing table, waist-high cutting table, a peg board (for ultimate organization) and a magnetic memo board with all my Kona Cotton and Art Gallery Fabrics color card swatches.

I took tons of photos and linked as many products as I could. You’ll find out I’m a sucker for Ikea…

This post may contain affiliate links, which means that I may earn a commission if you make a purchase using these links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Sewing Table

For sewing, I wanted a sturdy table with a large surface area to accommodate bigger quilting projects, plus it gives me extra room to spread out for computer work (and the always-present baby monitor). I loved this black Lisabo table from Ikea. It’s actually a dining table designed to seat about 4 people. It has angled legs that give it a sleek, mid-century modern vibe. It was a breeze to put together and is incredibly sturdy. I have not had any shaking or bouncing while sewing.

For the chair, I chose this natural pine and black Kullaberg chair from Ikea. It is a swivel base with adjustable height. I just love it’s cute and minimalist design. It is perfectly functional for sewing projects, but due to it’s lack of cushion, it’s probably not suited for long sewing sessions.

During the day, I love the natural light that pours into this room. However, at night, I find the ceiling light in this room terrible. I prefer the warm glow of a good lamp. This Lauters floor lamp from Ikea is a clean and simple design and continues with that mid-mod style that I love.

A quilting room isn’t complete without a good trash bin to catch all the scraps and threads. The 11-gallon Knood trash bin from Ikea is perfect for lots (and lots) of fabric scraps. It even comes with a lid if you like a (ahem) tidier look.

Oh… and if you’re swooning over my sewing machine, it’s a “vintage” Kenmore Model 385 from about 1995. My parents bought me this sewing machine sometime in late elementary school to fuel my interest in sewing. It’s sewn everything from Barbie clothes to king-sized quilts.

Color Card Memo Board

My magnetic color card swatches are one of my favorite and most useful tools in my quilting room. These babies are constantly being used. I stuck all off the swatches on this Elloven magnetic memo board from Ikea. It actually has a felt pin-board on the other side that is perfect for pinning patterns and brainstorming design ideas. Plus, it’s on wheels so it’s completely mobile! I like to roll mine by the window so get the best view of the colors.

Want to learn how to make magnetic fabric swatches form your color cards? Check out my other blog post here .

How To Make Magnetic Fabric Color Card Swatches

Cutting Table

When it comes to cutting large amounts of fabric, a counter height table is ideal. In the past, I have cut fabric on dining tables and it always results in a sore back. For my new quilt studio, I opted for the Lagkapten table top with Mittback legs from Ikea. I love that the Mittback legs are adjustable, so you can customize it to the perfect height. They also have a “crafty” look that I love. I chose the 55″ x 23.5″ Lagkapten table top. I think if I were to do it again, I would probably get the longer and deeper (63″ x 31.5″) size to make cutting bigger pieces of fabric easier.

The Skadis pegboard from Ikea is probably my favorite sewing room feature. It comes in multiple sizes, multiple colors and can be completely customized using all of the Skadis accessories . I’ll highlight the accessories I have below.

The most obvious accessory for a peg board… are the pegs, or in this case, hooks . I bought a ton of them for hanging all my scissors, rotary cutters, lint roller… you name it.

These Skadis storage baskets are great for holding printed quilt patterns and smaller notions (…and snacks).

Skadis container with lids comes in a set of 3. They are clear, so you can easily see what’s inside and they slide right out for easy portability for any project.

For my Aurifil thread spools, I finally found a storage solution that fits my minimalist aesthetic. These simple thread holders are 3D printed and made specifically for the Skadis pedboard. Each one holds 3 spools and can be stacked for as much storage as you need. I found them at the Etsy shopped linked here . You can find the plastic bobbin clips (in blue) here.

Some of my rulers have small holes for hanging, but some of them do not. I found the Skadis magazine holder is great for keep all of my rulers together.

These Skadis containers are simple cups for catching all the odds and ends.

Fabric Storage

Fabric storage… a universal problem for every quilter. Currently, I don’t have too much fabric that needs storing. I am able to get away with these clear plastic bins I found at Michaels. They fit perfectly into my utility cart, 3 to a shelf. I have my fabric scraps organized into “colors” and “neutrals”. I also have some bins with larger prints.

Speaking of rolling utility carts… are you even a maker if you don’t have one of these Raskog utility carts from Ikea? (Kidding!) This bad boy is the workhorse of any creative space. It’s versatile, mobile, magnetic… the list goes on. Do yourself a favor and get a utility cart.

This cart fits 3 of these clear plastic bins perfectly. I use them for storing fabric, patterns, plastic bags, and other notions.

Work-In-Progress (WIP) Storage

Storing works-in-process (aka WIPs) is the other universal problem every quilter faces. I try not to keep too many WIPs at one time, but when I do have multiple projects going at once, these Samla clear storage containers from Ikea keep everything perfectly organized. I am able to keep all the fabric and the printed pattern for a single project together so nothing goes missing. They’re also clear so I can see what’s inside and nothing gets forgotten. “Out of sight, out of mind” is what we’re trying to avoid here.

I hope you enjoyed the behind-the-scenes tour of my quilting room. It’s a work in progress, but so far, I am loving it. I hope it gave you some design inspiration and organizational ideas for your own space. Drop a comment and let me know what you think! Is there anything you would add?

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Homemade Emily Jane’s Sewing Room Tour

Over the past few years I’ve been on a journey to design the dream sewing room. I worked hard to create my ideal sewing room that is beautiful, organized, and most of all functional. If you are looking for inspiration for your own craft room, I hope you love checking out mine!

When planning my dream craft room, I knew I wanted a dedicated space that will inspire creativity and provide optimal functionality for all of my crafting, quilting, and sewing projects.

Welcome to my dream sewing room, a space where creativity, craftsmanship, and inspiration come together! I’ll preface this by sharing that my sewing room is more than just a workspace; it’s a quilt shop, a sewing room, and also a home office!

Join me on a tour through my thoughtfully curated space, where you’ll hear the components and features that make it a dream come true for any passionate sewer or crafter. From the well-lit workstations to the neatly arranged storage solutions, every element has been chosen to ensure that my creative journey is as smooth and enjoyable as possible. So, without further ado, let’s step inside and explore the world of endless possibilities that is my dream sewing room.

Watch the sewing room tour video:

You’ll definitely want to watch the video to get the full effect of all the specific features and components of this dream sewing room! Links for a lot of my sewing room furniture and equipment can be found in the description of the video over on YouTube.

Create Your Dream Craft Room

Are you looking for inspiration for creating your own craft room? Different features will vary based on personal preferences, but here are some key elements that I took into consideration when planning my ideal crafting room:

Ample Workspace

One main feature of any craft room is a large, sturdy worktable with a comfortable height for cutting and crafting. You’ll likely want a cutting mat on your worktable too. I personally recommend the height to be around 36″ tall for working at it while standing. Your workstation is perfect for cutting fabric, and it might also be nice to have a dedicated area for safely using a hot glue gun or other crafting tools.

In addition to the cutting work station you’ll probably want to consider an ironing board or ironing station in your sewing space. A dedicated space to iron quilt blocks and sewing projects is so nice to have!

If you are like me and spend a lot of time sewing, then having a dedicated sewing desk where you can keep your machine out is ideal. Maybe even also consider an adjustable and ergonomic chair for comfortable seating during long sewing or crafting sessions.

Storage Solutions in Your Sewing Room

A longtime love for crafting usually comes with a large collection of supplies, tools, fabric, and much more! Having great storage and organization in place means you can spend less time digging for supplies and more time actually creating!

Here are some ideas to help store all your crafting supplies:

• Shelving units, cabinets, and drawers for organizing and storing crafting supplies, fabrics, thread, and tools.
• Transparent or labeled storage containers for easy identification of materials.
• Pegboards or wall-mounted storage solutions to keep frequently used tools and supplies within reach.
• A well-organized tool rack or caddy to keep scissors, rotary cutters, rulers, measuring tape, and other essential tools easily accessible.
• Shelves or bins for organizing fabric by type, color, or project.
• A designated space for pattern books and sewing patterns.

Functional Sewing Room Design

Now that we’ve discussed the main components or features you might want in your dream craft room, let’s spend some time considering the layout. Think about setting up clearly defined zones for different crafting activities, such as cutting, sewing, and assembling. Also, make sure to have a trash can or easy disposal for scraps, loose threads, or other debris.

Ultimately you need to make sure that your workspace works for YOU! My sewing room also doubles as a home office, so my room has a computer desk as well as a sewing desk.

Design Wall

Many quilters like myself enjoy having a design wall to visualize their quilt before sewing blocks together. I made my design wall with cork, flannel, and staples. Then to make it pretty, my husband added a wooden frame around it with a nail gun. I’m very pleased with how it turned out and absolutely love that I can see my current Work In Progress up on the wall to inspire me to keep creating!

Quilts on Display

If possible, it might be fun to have a quilt on display in your creative space! I hung up this simple curtain wire and can clip up a quilt and easily switch it out whenever I feel like changing things up.

Lighting up your Sewing Space

The most ideal lighting in your craft will will be natural lighting, if possible, through windows or skylights. Natural light will help to reduce eye strain and also give you the most accurate view of colors while working on projects.

You might need additional lighting if the natural lighting in your space is not sufficient, or if you enjoy crafting during early mornings, evenings, or nights. I love having bright white LED bulbs in the ceiling fixtures. In addition, it’s helpful to have task lighting too!

My personal favorite lighting is from OttLite. The floor lamp , clamp lamp , and even portable task lamps are all incredibly helpful for lighting up my sewing space.

Little Extras

I have a few other items I highly recommend incorporating into your craft room. Maybe consider an air purifier to help clean out all the tiny fiber particles from cutting fabric. You might also want at least a couple power strip surge protectors for plugging in your equipment.

Don’t forget the Entertainment

• A computer or tablet for accessing online patterns, tutorials, and digital design tools.
• Charging stations for electronic devices.
• A speaker, TV, or audio system to keep you entertained while crafting.

Remember that the layout and design of your dream crafting or sewing room should cater to your specific needs and the types of projects you personally enjoy. Personalize it to make it a space where you feel inspired and comfortable, allowing your creativity to flow freely!

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Sewing Room Tour

Hi friends! I’ve had a ton of requests for a sewing/quilting room tour, so that’s what we’re doing today! I’m super excited to be able to have this space as I had previously taken over our dining room with sewing stuff.

As most of you know, this room used to be our homeschool room, which is why you can hear tweeting in the background. We recently moved the school room to our basement (the birdies stayed in this room) and after about 2 seconds of it being empty, I claimed the space as my new sewing area!

Watch my Sewing/Quilting Room Tour video here!

Links to my storage shelves and desk set up!

• Kallax shelving unit (I have a 2×4 unit, and a 5×5 unit. I‘m sorry, they don’t offer the 5×5 unit anymore, the largest you can get is a 4×4 unit.)
• Linnmon Table Top (78 3/4” x 23 5/8” mat white table tops – I put two table tops together as shown in the video)
• Adils table Legs (I purchased 8 of the white ones. Three on each end and two in the center for stability.)

Links to products shown or mentioned in the video! Along with some of my favorite sewing notions:

• Stackable Mesh Scrap Baskets
• Panasonic Cordless Iron
• Quilters Press ‘N Cut Ironing Mat
• Creative Grid Ruler
• Kai 5″ Scissors
• Fiskars 8″ Scissors
• Aurifil Thread (I use 50 wt 2021)
• Olfa Splash 45mm Rotary Cutter
• American Crafts Self Healing Mat
• Clover Wonder Clips
• Clover Seam Ripper
• Little House Pins
• FQS Sewing Tins
• Fat Quarter Shop Sew Sampler
• Alphabitties
• Magnetic Pin Bowl
• 505 Fabric Adhesive
• JoAnn’s 36″ x 59″ Cutting Mat

I hope you enjoyed my sewing room tour!

If you just started quilting or sewing, here are more videos in my How to Quilt Series !

• Quilting Supplies: What do you need to get started?
• How to Choose a Sewing Machine
• How to Choose Fabric
• How to Cut Fabric
• How to Piece a Quilt Top
• How to Press Fabric
• How to Baste a Quilt
• How to Straight Line Quilt
• How to Free Motion Quilt
• How to Bind a Quilt (Machine and Hand!)
• How to Wash a Quilt
• Zipper Pouch Tutorial
• Boxed Zipper Pouch Tutorial

Here are a few more of my Tutorials online if you’re just getting started:

• Sherbet Stars Quilt Tutorial
• Pink Pig Rag Quilt Tutorial
• DIY Tic-Tac-Toe Board Game (*Great for learning beginning skills!)
• Patchwork Book Cover
• Quilt-as-you-go Book Cover
• Kids Pillow with Pocket
• How to Applique’ Basics (Don’t worry it’s super easy!)
• Thread Catcher Tutorial

To keep up with our shenanigans, be sure to follow me:

• YouTube Channel
• Instagram (LOTS of quilty goodness there!)

17 Comments

Thanks for the sewing room tour! I love all of the natural light and white furniture- so bright and cheery. I’ve got my sewing space set up in a nook area of our master bedroom and it’s been great having a designated space. I’ve always wanted to learn how to quilt; after watching your quilting tutorials and some videos from MSQC, I completed my first quilt in November. Working on my second now. I’ve got a couple of different fabric lines ordered and stashed away for my upcoming projects. It’s kind of addictive. 🙂

Yay! Congratulations!!

Just so you’ll know, IKEA has recently brought back the 5X5 Kallax unit.

Oh good! So many people have asked me about that, thanks for letting me know!

I love your sewing room!!

Hi Erica, Can you tell me where i can purchase the magnetic bowls you showed in this video? You suggested at Riley Blake, but they only sell to wholesalers. Please let me know if there is another store I can purchase them at. Thank You!

Hi Cecilia, Oh I’m sorry, I thought you could purchase individually. I sent them a message asking where you could get them. In the meantime I did find similar ones here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/254690339/lime-polka-dot-magnetic-pin-bowl?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=magnetic%20pin%20bowl&ref=sr_gallery_1

The tutorial for the sewing machine mat? Do you remember where you got that?

Yes, it’s the Undercover Maker Mat from https://lillyella.com/tutorials/undercover-maker-mat/

What size legs did you use on table? How tall?

They’re just the basic Ikea table legs. I believe they are 27″ high. I think they have ones you can adjust as well.

What are the dimensions of your room? I just love your set up.

It’s about 12′ by 12′ or so.

Hi Erica, What a pretty, yet efficient sewing room! Would you consider doing a tutorial on how you fold your fabric on the comic book boards? I love your clarity! : )

Hi Wendy, I actually show you how to fold it at 8:23 in this video 🙂

Well for cryin’ out loud I’m losing my marbles. Thank you so much for marking the time! : )

Your YouTube link to cotton batting on Amazon is $235. Is that accurate? Some had commented that the price increased dramatically. That seems high to me, but I am new to this and getting a little overwhelmed by costs. Curious what is reasonable cost. What batting do you prefer and what is the usual cost? Thank you!

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The Little Mushroom Cap: A Quilting Blog

Quilting Blog

My Quilting Room Tour

Welcome to my sewing & quilting room!!!!

I am really happy with the current setup so and recently when I was cleaning the area, I thought I would just record a video and bring you along for a quick tour around my quilting room. 

So here it is, I would love for you to join me over on YouTube as well, I do have a dream of posting a lot more video there and hopefully, that dream will become a reality very soon.

Let me know what you love the most about the space, some of your tips to help me organize better or anything really! Drop me a comment and let’s chat all about sewing and quilting space. 

The things I love about the current setup of my quilting room:

• the large combo back-to-back table which makes it easier for me to quilt large quilts. I teach many ways how you can quilt a large quilt on a small machine with the right setup in FMQ Bootcamp but this one is my favourite! 
• the DVD rack for my fat quarters
• Mini quilts especially those gifted or swapped by other quilty friends (I miss swapping mini quilts! I should really join one or host one. Would you like to join?)
• my quilt cabinet! I talk about how I painted the cabinet HERE . I love how useful the cabinet is and how it keeps my fabrics, quilts and WIP away from dust. 

For the things I mention in this video (some are affiliate links):

• Wool Pressing Mat 
• Selvedge Tote Tutorial 
• I buy most of my fabrics from HERE. 

For more ideas on creative space, check out the newly released book: Love your Creative Space .

What is most important to you when organizing your sewing and quilting space?

If you are inspired to reorganize your sewing space or share your current setup too, drop a comment or email me! I would love to hear from you. 

4 Comments on My Quilting Room Tour

Beautiful quilting. Your room is lovely….very organized. I need to get mine reorganized before I begin quilting again.

Hi Amirah, I hope you are well. You sound like you have a cold. Thank you sooooooooh much for the quilt room tour. It’s been so beneficial to me as I’ve had a summer house built outside which has been insulated all around so that I can use it all year round. I’m so excited. Now even more so after seeing your quilting space. So many awesome ideas. I’m in a tiny space at the moment which is actually dangerous as my Shelving has had to be attached to the wall as they were toppling over.

I now realise that I need the double back to back tables like you have, bookshelves so I can read all my quilting and crafting magazines and books. I am so inspired by your little sticky block boards so you can plan blocks that you are making. It’s going to be such a difference to me. I hope you do consider getting yourself a new sewing space when you do your extension. You deserve it for keeping us all entertained and inspired. I’ve found so much inspiration in your blog and I love getting my emails which I store in my little Amirah’s mushroom folder. 😃 I’ve been unable to start many things which I have ideas for as a result of you sharing what you do, as I’ve not got the room and looking for my things in this tiny space is a nightmare. I am now however going to be able to do all of the above in my little place in the garden which I am going to call, ‘The Craft Shack’ . Thank you Amirah for sharing all you do and for all the tips and help. I have no quilting friends and your blog is the perfect way to find inspiration.

Good luck and be blessed with your new baby. I pray you are well and that this awful virus touches no part of your life or of any of the other quilters. Now masks are mandatory here in the UK for shopping etc, I shall be back making masks for my village and anyone else that needs them. I don’t charge for them but I ask for fabric donations instead to make more. But hopefully I will be back to quilting soon. Thank you Amirah. Love your sewing space.

Hello Amirah,

I love your quilting room! I am so inspired by you as I also have a small space for my quilting room. You are proof that as long as I stay organized, everything will all work together. I love IKEA for organization supplies. This is my first time watching one of your videos, but look forward to many more. I love your sweet personality. Contractions on another addition to your family.

Thank you for your sewing room tour. I enjoyed looking at all the different ways to organinize fabrics. Congratulations on your having a baby.

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Community events in San Diego County: From Fallbrook Avocado Festival to Earth Day tours

Sneak peek at upcoming street fairs, festivals, Earth Day celebrations, performances, art shows, concerts, community meetings and more

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Spring Bazaar & Plant Sale

Bonita Valley Garden Club is having its annual Spring Bazaar & Plant Sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 20 on the patio of the Bonita-Sunnyside Museum, 4355 Bonita Road. There will be handmade items and plants for Mother’s Day gifts. The nonprofit garden club provides scholarships for local colleges.

Earth Day tours at wildlife education center

Wild Wonders wildlife education center holds family-friendly Earth Day tours with animal “ambassadors” from rain forests, the wilds of Down Under and African savannahs along with Southern California. Each child will get a passport to fill in with answers provided by the tour guide, and they will receive a small prize at the end. Participants learn about adaptations that help the animals survive in diverse climates and find out how they can become a steward for the environment. Tours are at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. April 20 and last about an hour. Tickets are $39; $20 for children ages 5-11. Visit wildwonders.org .

Taste of Cardiff next month

Cardiff 101 Main Street puts on its 14th annual Taste of Cardiff culinary adventure, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. May 2 on San Elijo Avenue between Birmingham Drive and Chesterfield Drive and along South Coast Highway 101. The event will feature bites and sips from Cardiff’s restaurants, bars and retailers. During the event, participants will also cast their votes for the Morgan Mallory Golden Fork Award winner. Tickets are $50; Taste & Sip tickets are $55. Visit cardiff101.org .

Family Passover Seder on April 22

A First Night Community Family Passover Seder sponsored by Congregation B’nai Tikvah starts at 6 p.m. April 22 at Richard Walker’s Pancake House, 2656 Gateway Road. The 30-minute Seder led by Cantor Larry Kornit will be followed by food and fun activities. Cost if $75, including catered kosher-style dinner; special rates for military and children younger than 12. Bring canned food for Interfaith Community Services. Reserve at bnaitikvahsd.org . Call (760) 650-2262.

Museum of Making Music reopens

The Museum of Making Music reopens to the general public April 16 after renovation of its exhibitions. The museum, which originally opened in 2000, offers immersive musical instrument exhibitions along with a studio/classroom area. The museum is at the National Association of Music Merchants headquarters, 5790 Armada Drive. Visit museumofmakingmusic.org .

CHULA VISTA

Genealogy buffs discuss birth records.

The Chula Vista Genealogical Society holds its Education Meeting from 1 to 3 p.m. April 16 in the Bonita-Sunnyside Branch Library Community Room, 4375 Bonita Road. The topic for discussion is birth records and how to use them in genealogy. Attendees can work with fellow genealogists and have questions answered. Bring your laptop or tablet. Walk-ins are welcome. Register at chulavistagenealogysociety.wildapricot.org.

EAST COUNTY

Sheriff’s stations seek volunteers.

The Santee and Lakeside sheriff’s stations are recruiting men and women 50 and older to join their Senior Volunteer Patrols. Duties include patrolling residential neighborhoods, shopping centers and schools and doing traffic control, home vacation and elderly welfare checks, citizen assists and working at public events requiring traffic and pedestrian management. After completing the 10-day academy, volunteers are asked to commit a minimum of one six-hour patrol shift each week and attend a one-hour monthly meeting. For information and eligibility requirements, go to sdsheriff.gov and click on “Recruiting,” then “Senior Volunteer Patrol,” or call (619) 972-6846.

Sorelle San Diego gives concert

Sorelle San Diego, a women’s chamber chorus, presents its spring concert, which “Explores Stories of War from the Voices of Women,” at 4 p.m. April 20 at San Dieguito United Methodist Church, 170 Calle Magdalena. The chorus with San Diego State University’s Treble Choir will perform a newly commissioned arrangement of “Armistice 1918: Everyone Sang” by Craig Carnahan. The suggested donation is $20; $10 for students, which benefits the International Rescue Committee in San Diego, helping refugees and asylum seekers. Visit sorellesandiego.com .

Happy Tales reading program at animal shelter

The Rancho Coastal Humane Society holds the Happy Tales reading program from 12:45 to 1:45 p.m. April 20 for children age 6 and older to read aloud to the dogs, cats and rabbits at the animal shelter, 389 Requeza St. Each child must be supervised by a parent. Readers must wear closed-toed, rubber-soled shoes. They can bring their own pillow, blanket or towel to sit on, or the shelter can provide a towel. Participants can bring their own books or borrow a book from the shelter’s education library. Other sessions are May 18 and June 8. The cost is $10 per child. Preregistration is required at rchumanesociety.org . Happy Tales can be arranged for small groups; email [email protected].

Wildcoast puts on benefit dinner

The third annual Wildcoast Benefit Dinner in honor of Earth Day is at 6 p.m. April 21 at Herb & Sea, 131 W. D St. The event will be an interactive family-style seafood soiree on the Moonlight Deck, featuring a giant fish placed on a bed of hot coals, covered with seaweed and burlap, and buried in sand to roast inside a salt shell. The dinner is a part of Herb & Sea’s longtime partnership with Wildcoast to preserve coastlines and marine ecosystems. Tickets are $120. Visit wildcoast.org .

Avocado Festival on April 21

The Fallbrook Avocado Festival is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 21 on Main Avenue in downtown Fallbrook. Highlights include craft and food vendors, a beer and wine garden, live bands and a guacamole contest along with other competitions, such as an avocado attire contest and avocado holding competition. There will be an Artisan Walk on Alvarado Street, between Main and Vine Street, with handmade items from local artisans. For kids there will be the fun zone and Avo 500 races along with the Best Dressed Avocado and Little Miss and Mr. Avocado contest. Admission is free. Free shuttles will be available. Visit fallbrookchamberofcommerce.org .

Wildflower Show next month

The Julian Woman’s Club hosts the 98th annual Wildflower Show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 3-4 in its clubhouse, 2607 C St. The show features wildflowers from seven regions in and around Julian, and it will exhibit samples from many different flowering species that grow in the area. The clubhouse will be adorned with artwork by local students, and there will be items for sale, including a quilt made by club members to be raffled off in an opportunity drawing. The show is free to the public. Donations and sales are appreciated; proceeds go to the club’s scholarship fund and to support the community. Visit julianwomansclub.org .

Managing nonprofits subject of talk

The La Mesa-El Cajon Branch of the American Association of University Women meets at 9:30 a.m. April 13 and hosts guest speaker Carolyn Carpenter, who has formed three nonprofits. She will share strategies for managing a nonprofit, such as the local AAUW branch. The theme for the meeting is “Focus on Fundraising,” emphasizing branch financial sustainability. Meetings are open to the public in King Hall at Foothills United Methodist Church, 4031 Avocado Blvd.

OMFest’s Women of Note fundraiser

The Oceanside Cultural Arts Foundation holds the Oceanside Music Fest’s fourth annual Women of Note Scholarship Fundraiser at 2 p.m. April 21 at the Oceana Clubhouse, 550 Vista Bella. The OMFest will host a historical fashion walk presented by Natalie J. Meyers, who will show samples of women’s fashion through the ages, revealing how taste in women’s fashion evolved and what foundation garments made those changes possible. There will be fashion-inspired song and dance numbers performed by scholarship recipients. Tickets are $15; $10 for seniors and students, including cold drinks, tea and sweets. Tickets are at ocaf.info/events and at the door.

San Diego district attorney to speak at meeting

The Republican Club of North County hosts San Diego District Attorney Summer Stephan as keynote speaker on April 17 at a luncheon meeting at the Broken Yolk Cafe, 2434 Vista Way. Stephan will provide “An Update on the San Diego’s District Attorney’s Office.” The club believes in conservative values, individual responsibility, personal freedoms, limited government, a market economy, low taxes and strong national defense. Doors open at 11 a.m., and the meeting starts promptly at noon. Cost is $35; $30 for club members. Cash or check only at the door (credit cards not accepted). Call or text (760) 212-9995.

RANCHO BERNARDO

Church collecting items for infants, toddlers.

The Rancho Bernardo Community Presbyterian Church holds a drive-thru drop-off collection of new items for infants and toddlers from 9 to 11 a.m. April 20 at 17010 Pomerado Road. Donations will go to Solutions for Change, Serving the Enlisted Project (STEP) serving military families and Salvation Army’s Door of Hope. Items needed include diapers (all sizes, except newborn), wipes, baby lotions, shampoo, diaper rash creams, blankets, onesies, crib sheets, towels and pajamas. (The group cannot collect car seats, playpens, cribs or high chairs per California laws.) Checks can be made out to Door of Hope, Solutions for Change or STEP. Visit rbcommunity.org .

Volunteers install smoke alarms in area homes

Paul Davis Restoration of South San Diego County was among volunteers who participated in the local “Sound the Alarm” program run by the American Red Cross. The initiative happens each spring and involves hundreds of volunteers installing free smoke alarms in neighborhood homes. The volunteers also gave fire safety information and evacuation tips. The Paul Davis team of six volunteers installed 86 alarms in 19 homes throughout the San Diego Bay area. In total, 200 volunteers installed 650 smoke alarms in 255 homes in San Diego as part of this year’s program.

International Orchid Show

The San Diego County Orchid Society will hold its annual International Show and Sale from April 19-21 in Casa del Prado’s Room 101 and Patio A, 1800 El Prado, in Balboa Park. The show, themed “Orchids of the Earth,” is slated to draw orchid enthusiasts, growers and vendors from the U.S. and abroad. Regional and international commercial growers and breeders will sell orchids, orchid supplies and other collectible plants. Also, San Diego County Orchid Society members with large private collections will sell plants. The society’s conservation committee will sell donated plants to raise money for its nonprofit conservation work around the world. There will be free, walk-up classes about how to grow an orchid, how to repot an orchid and how to rebloom an orchid. Volunteers will be on hand to answer orchid questions and hand out free care sheets for a dozen different types of orchids. The show is open from noon to 7 p.m. April 19 with early-bird sales at 10 a.m.; from 9 a.m. to 6 pm April 20 and from 10 a.m. to 4 pm. April 21. Admission is free. visit sdorchids.com .

Author discussion to benefit Arc of San Diego

The StarLarcs, an auxiliary group supporting nonprofit The Arc of San Diego, which serves people with disabilities, hosts an event at 1 p.m. April 27 featuring a discussion led by San Diego author Jennifer Coburn about her historical novel “Cradles of the Reich.” Coburn is known for her mother-daughter memoir and collection of contemporary women’s novels. Proceeds benefit community members with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are receiving services at The Arc of San Diego’s Sol and Ruth Gerber Family Center in Chula Vista. The event will be at the center, 1280 Nolan Ave. Tickets are $30. Reserve by April 22 at (619) 370-1892.

Springtime Carnival at museum

The WNDR Museum puts on a Springtime Carnival from 6 to 10 p.m. April 18 and night of Music, Art & More from 7 to 10 p.m. April 20 at 422 Market St. The carnival features stilt walkers from the San Diego-based circus performance academy Art in Flexion along with other performers. There will be snacks from Bigfoot Corndogs. This event is for 21 and older. Tickets are $38. A Music, Art & More event will be curated by Bad Vibes Good Friends and live visuals presented by SD Liquid Light Society. There will be dancing and a lineup of musicians along with handcrafted goods from local artisans and vendors. This is for 18 and older. Tickets are $41. Visit wndrmuseum.com .

Alesmith Brewery celebrates Anvil of Hope anniversary

Alesmith Brewery’s nonprofit charity arm, Anvil of Hope, celebrates its fourth anniversary from 6 to 10 p.m. April 20 at 9990 Alesmith Court. This 1980s-themed party includes a live band, food, drinks and dance performances along with a 1980s arcade, a costume contest and dancing. Proceeds benefit children experiencing poverty in San Diego. General admission tickets are $80 at bit.ly/anvilofhope4th while supplies last.

Earth Day celebration at nature reserve

The Torrey Pines Docent Society holds an Earth Day Celebration from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 21 in front of the lodge area near the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve upper parking lot in La Jolla. There will be wildflower hikes, live raptors and reptile exhibits along with information about Kumeyaay history, native bees and invasive plants. Visit torreypine.org .

International Dance Day celebrate

In honor of International Dance Day on April 29, Queen Bee’s Art and Cultural Center hosts a variety of dance socials, classes and events. Swing Tuesdays feature music of blues and swing at 6:30 p.m., with a swing dance lesson. On April 16, there will be a special performance from the Backwater Blues Band. Line Dancing Wednesdays is at 7 p.m. and includes a lesson — wear your cowboy boots. Salsa Sundays is at 7 p.m. with instruction. Tickets start at $15 online or at the door. Visit queenbeessd.com .

Sharp holds Women’s Health Conference

The annual Sharp Women’s Health Conference to “inspire women to live a healthier and more balanced life” is from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 20 at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina, 1380 Harbor Island Drive. The event features keynote speakers Dr. Marisa Franco and Dr. Nora McInerny, along with 24 breakout sessions on various health and lifestyle topics. Attendees can have free health screenings and assessments. Admission also includes breakfast, lunch, opportunity drawings and a gift bag. Fee is $85. Register at sharp.com/womensevent or call (800) 827-4277 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.

5K walk supports mental health services

NAMI Walks San Diego and Imperial Counties, a community awareness and fundraising event, will be held April 27 at Preble Field, which is part of NTC Park in Liberty Station. The event — a 5K that begins at 8 a.m. — benefits NAMI San Diego and Imperial Counties, which provides free, mental health programs and resources to support people living with mental health challenges and their families. Visit namiwalks.org.

Pucks & Pints Charity Hockey

A group of San Diego breweries will host the sixth annual Pucks & Pints Charity Hockey Game and Festival on April 20 at Pechanga Arena and neighboring Modern Times Beer’s Fortress of Raditude. The event includes a hockey game with staff members of San Diego craft breweries at 12:30 p.m., the beer-and-BBQ festival from 2 to 5 p.m., and the San Diego Gulls game with the Coachella Valley Firebirds at 6 p.m. Tickets, which include entry to all three segments of the day, are $65. Proceeds benefit five local nonprofit organizations. Visit tickets.sdbeer.com/e/pucks-pints-2024.

Mission Valley Earth Day celebration

Mission Valley, an open-air shopping center, will host an educational Earth Day-themed event and clothing drive from noon to 3 p.m. April 20 in the center’s AMC Theatres Court. Highlights include painting take-home flower pots. The mall will also provide each guest with a packet of flower seeds to plant at home, while supplies last. Attendees can learn how to extend the life of their clothing and conserve resources. USAgain will provide a Clothing Drop Spot in Mission Valley’s Target parking, to drop off donations of gently used clothing, shoes, accessories and linens; visit usagain.com/dropspot. Registration is not required; to preregister, visit bit.ly/3VyYXL3 . For more information, visit bit.ly/43AtvOs .

Annual car show in La Jolla

The 18th annual La Jolla Concours d’Elegance, featuring a display of more than 170 international cars, is slated to return to La Jolla from April 19-21 at Ellen Browning Scripps Park, 1100 Coast Blvd. The show, themed “World Class Cars, World Class Experience,” will celebrate the “Timeless Elegance of the Roaring 20’s and the Glamorous 30’s.” Highlights include commemorative artwork by Scott Jacobs. There will also be a free Porsches on Prospect event from 5 to 9 pm. April 20. Tickets are at lajollaconcours.com .

Event focuses on art of James Hubbell

The Ilan-Lael Foundation is taking part in World Design Capital 2024 and will host a series of events this spring at the San Diego Central Library as part of the exhibition “Architecture of Jubilation: The Art and Vision of James Hubbell.” The exhibit is centered around modern architecture and design in San Diego and the influence of Hubbell. At 6 p.m. April 22, Dave Hampton presents “Jim Hubbell at Midcentury: His Early Years in the San Diego Art Community” at the library, 330 Park Blvd. Attendees will learn about Hubbell’s emergence in the San Diego art community in the late 1950s and early 1960s with rare archive photos of early art pieces and a look at significant exhibitions. Visit ilanlaelfoundation.org.

Pickleball tournament helps folks with disabilities

St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center, a nonprofit that educates and empowers people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, will host a pickleball tournament from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 19 at San Diego Mission Bay Resort, 1775 E. Mission Bay Drive. The event is open to players at all skill levels. The first session will begin at 9 a.m. with an introductory lesson taught by an experienced pickleball instructor for first-time and novice players. The lesson will be followed by an interactive game for participants at this level. The second session will begin at 11 a.m. for experienced players. This session’s tournament will be round-robin format, with each competitor playing in turns against each other. Paddles will be provided for all participants. Register at stmsc.org/event/pickleball.

Point Loma Parkinson’s Support Group meets

The Point Loma Parkinson’s Support Group will gather from 10 a.m. to noon April 23 at Point Loma Café, 4865 N. Harbor Drive, to “Meet, Greet and Eat.” There will be a no-host brunch and discussion group for people with Parkinson’s disease and their care partners. The meeting will feature speaker and movement disorder specialist Sandeep Thakkar for a presentation on “More Days with Good on Time: Explore a proven treatment that reduces off time and dyskinesia, giving you more good on time in your day.” Email reservations, to [email protected].

SAN DIEGO COUNTY

Upcoming blood drives.

The San Diego Blood Bank will hold blood drives in the following parking lots (unless otherwise noted):

Probation – South Bay Region, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. April 18 at 1095 Bay Blvd., Chula Vista.

San Diego Superior Court South County Division, West Parking Lot, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. April 18 at 500 Third Ave., Chula Vista.

Journey Community Church, 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. April 21 at 8363 Center Drive, La Mesa.

Saint Pius X Church, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 21 at 1120 Cuyamaca Ave., Chula Vista.

Donors must be 17 and older, weigh at least 114 pounds, and be in good health. Photo identification is required. To make an appointment or find more drives, call (800) 469-7322 or visit sandiegobloodbank.org . Walk-ins are also welcome.

Volunteers needed to advocate for foster kids

Voices for Children is looking for volunteers to speak up for foster children in court, school and medical situations to make sure their needs are met. The San Diego nonprofit, which also serves Riverside County, started its annual campaign called “Your Voice, Their Future” to encourage community members from all walks of life to become Court Appointed Special Advocates. CASA volunteers are trained and supported by the nonprofit to advocate for foster kids as they face court hearings, attorneys, social workers and new homes. To volunteer, visit speakupnow.org .

Volunteers sought to join crisis team

The Trauma Intervention Programs of San Diego, aka TIP, is looking for volunteers to join crisis teams and support trauma victims at emergency scenes. TIP is especially in need of volunteers in East County communities along with National City and Coronado. No experience is necessary; training will be provided. Training Academy and registration information is at tipsandiego.org or (855) TIPSD-HELP (855-847-7343).

SPRING VALLEY

Laurel & hardy club presents movies.

The Saps at Sea Laurel & Hardy club presents “Swiss Miss” and “Below Zero” on April 20 at Williams Hall next to Trinity Church, 3902 Kenwood Drive. The films start at 6 p.m., doors open at 5:30 p.m. The gathering includes a raffle with prizes. DVDs and movie- and TV-related books are available for purchase. The club will also show a “Popeye” cartoon, plus W.C. Fields in “The Fatal Glass of Beer.” Admission is $7 and includes dessert; free for kids younger than 12. Visit the Saps At Sea San Diego Facebook page at facebook.com/groups/149982858403776.

Earth Day Festival at Alta Vista Botanical Gardens

The annual Earth Day Festival is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 20 at Alta Vista Botanical Gardens, 1270 Vale Terrace Drive. Highlights include a plant sale and several dozen vendors with items ranging from painted pots and organic fruits and vegetables to jewelry, art, crafts soaps, rocks, minerals and fossils. There will be children’s activities, including origami butterflies and bubble baskets. The Amigos de Vista Lions will sell their barbecue lunch with hamburgers, hot dogs, sausages, chips and drinks. The event will also include Millie’s Snow Cone Pop-up. Vista Irrigation District will demonstrate how the local water system works, and Encina Wastewater Authority will show how wastewater is processed. Admission is free. Visit altavistabotanicalgardens.org/earth-day-festival .

Earth Day celebration at senior center

The Gloria McClellan Senior Center, 1400 Vale Terrace Drive, is hosting an Earth Day celebration before noon April 22 with an informative lunchtime presentation on the history and importance of Earth Day and current environmental programs in the City of Vista. A $4 contribution is suggested for guests 60 years and older and $8 fee for guests 59 and younger. Transportation can be provided for Vista residents age 60 and older with 48-hour advance notice. RSVP by April 19 at (760) 643-5288.

Sorority holds Founder’s Day

The Hidden Valley Vista City Council of Beta Sigma Phi International will celebrate its 93rd Founder’s Day, “Sisters Bloom,” at 10:30 a.m. April 27 at Shadow Ridge Golf Club, 1980 Gateway Drive. Cost is $34.50. Menu choices: Classic Cobb Salad, Turkey Club Sandwich or Vegetarian Cobb Salad. All Beta Sigma Phis — active, inactive, on leave, transferees and guests — are invited to make a reservation by April 17 at (760) 889-3552.

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