If you would rather display a handmade...

If you would rather display a handmade quilt on your bed or wall than curl up in it next to a roaring fire, the South Bay Quilters Guild has created your ideal hangout today.

The guild’s 225 members have put together a display of 124 handcrafted quilts, ranging from heirlooms to modern works of art, at the Torrance Recreation Center, 3341 Torrance Blvd.

“Quilting is our way of expressing our sense of art,” show chairwoman Helen Carson said. “Some of the works are functional, beautiful quilts, while others are very intricate, contemporary works.”

Included in the 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. show will be nine quilts by guest artist Danita Rafalovich, author of “Backart,” who will discuss her methods for making the backs of quilts look as attractive as the fronts.

The show’s theme, “Old and New in ‘92,” reflects both the variety of quilts on display and the fact that both the center’s old recreation facility and the new meeting hall will be used for the display, Carson said.

Although none of the works on display at the show will be for sale--guild bylaws bar members from using the group to market their handicraft--a highlight today will be a spirited auction of miniature quilts at 1 p.m.

Auction prices in previous years have ranged from $25 to $300.

“We get kind of carried away. The workmanship on some of them is just outstanding,” Carson said. “And more people tend to collect the smaller ones because you can only put so many of the larger ones on a bed.”

In addition, members of the guild have created a reproduction of an heirloom quilt called the Antique Star to be raffled off at the end of the show.

Proceeds from the raffle will be donated to the Richstone Family Center for the prevention of child abuse. Last year’s show raised more than $7,000 for the New Life Beginnings Shelter for homeless pregnant women.

Additional show profits have been used in the past to support charities and buy sewing machines and other supplies for local schools.

Doors at the center will be opened at 9 a.m. for the physically disabled and their escorts. A $4 donation is requested at the door, although senior citizens over the age of 60 may enter for $3.