Quilty pleasures: V&A exhibition celebrates the material world

Tracey Emin shows off her bed again (we reckon this one would be much nicer to sleep in) Photograph: V&A Photograph: guardian.co.uk A detail from Grayson Perry's Right to Life. Perry takes to the art of quilting to make a point Photograph: V&A Photograph: guardian.co.uk Anne West, Wedding detail (1820) West is one hell of a needleworker, putting together this spectacular quilt of many scenes. It's not clear if this image is to celebrate her own wedding or not, but the quilt is one of the most fascinating on show Photograph: V&A Photograph: guardian.co.uk Here is West's quilt in its full glory Photograph: Richard Davis/V&A Photograph: Richard Davis/guardian.co.uk A single panel from George Reviewing the Troops by an unknown maker, one of the many magnificent spreads on show. Make sure you look closely when you visit – who knows what dazzling details you might miss if you don’t Photograph: V&A Photograph: guardian.co.uk There’s a whole lot of writing stitched into these quilts, too – such as in this piece by Elizabeth Chapman – so don't forget to stop and read Photograph: Richard Davis/V&A Photograph: Richard Davis/guardian.co.uk The exhibition explores the history of quilting in intricate detail, but what of the contemporary quilters? Natasha Kerr is one of the few to have a piece selected for the exhibition. Her memory quilt adorned much of the publicity, which we reckon was much deserved Photograph: Richard Davis/V&A Photograph: Richard Davis/guardian.co.uk Liberty has created a set of 18 new quilting fabrics to accompany the show. They’re not cheap, but they could be worth their price tag. Don’t believe me? This excellent spread is made of up Liberty fabrics from the 1960s to the present day ... Photograph: V&A Photograph: guardian.co.uk Many of the quilts are displayed on beds rather than on walls, so you can see them looking just as they were intended Photograph: Pip Barnard/V&A Photograph: Pip Barnard/guardian.co.uk Quilting connoisseurs are sure to be impressed by the detail in the older pieces. How long do you think it took to sew all the pieces in this 1700 silk coverlet together? Photograph: V&A Photograph: guardian.co.uk ... and what about the tiny hand-embroidered details? Only the most hardcore 21st-century quilter would tackle a project of this scale Photograph: V&A Photograph: guardian.co.uk The 26 stages of love? It’s all there in this wall hanging by an unknown maker, entitled A to Z of Love (1875–85) Photograph: V&A Photograph: V&A/guardian.co.uk You can almost make out the landmass of the UK – well, some of it – patchworked into one of the quilts Photograph: Richard Davis/V&A Photograph: Richard Davis/guardian.co.uk This animal-themed coverlet, made c1851 by an unknown maker, is one for the kids. Can you spot the two whales? Photograph: V&A Photograph: V&A/guardian.co.uk To finish, an impressive 1880s creation credited to a male quilter, a soldier called Francis Brayley. Apparently one in seven quilters are men Photograph: V&A Photograph: guardian.co.uk