Handmade, machine-made, stitched and sewn, the quilts of the Pamlico River Quilters Guild go on display at Arts of the Pamlico’s Turnage Theatre Thursday.

Nearly 60 quilts, of members’ choice, have been hung for tonight’s opening reception from 5:30-7 p.m. The works represent a wide array of themes and patterns, from seaside to holiday and traditional to free-form. Quilts range in size from lap-size to wall art, with one award-winning, bed-size quilt as a centerpiece for the display. The quilt, by Quilters Guild member Linda Baker, is a piece-work Christmas quilt that won Best in Show at the Guild’s show in 2010.

“To do a quilt that large — trying to do a quilt that large on a domestic machine is a difficult, difficult chore,” said Quilters Guild co-President Kathy Belski.

The exhibit, which came at the invitation of Arts of the Pamlico, will be on display throughout the month of the December. Belski said some of the quilts are available for purchase.

“Some are for sale; some are not. It depends on the artist,” Belski said.

However, those in the market for quilted Christmas tree ornaments can find them for sale at the Turnage. The Quilters Guild, as an AOP partner, was invited to decorate one of nine trees on display in the theater’s Lane Gallery. Handmade ornaments by members range in price from $1 for the simpler pieces to $7 for more intricate works, Belski said.

The Pamlico River Quilters Guild was founded in 1981 and hosts a biennial show, as well as bands together to do community projects, such as making quilts to donate to the Wounded Warriors project. Tonight’s reception is free and open to the public.

The Turnage Theatre is located at 150 W. Main St. in Washington.