Patchwork
/ˈpætʃwɜːrk/
Definitions
3 meaningsA textile art form consisting of pieces of fabric sewn together.
/ˈpætʃwɜːrk/
A textile art form
The antique patchwork coverlet was passed down through generations.
💡 Simply: Imagine a quilt made of many different colorful squares sewn together. That's a patchwork! It's like a puzzle made of fabric, where each piece is a different color or pattern.
👶 For kids: A blanket or cloth made by sewing together many little pieces of different fabrics.
More Examples
She learned how to create beautiful designs using the technique of patchwork.
The exhibition showcased stunning examples of traditional and contemporary patchwork.
How It's Used
"Her grandmother's patchwork quilt was a family heirloom."
"The living room featured a vibrant patchwork rug."
Something composed of diverse and often disparate elements.
/ˈpætʃwɜːrk/
Something composed of diverse elements
The city's infrastructure was a patchwork of old and new systems.
💡 Simply: Sometimes, things are made up of lots of different pieces that don't always go together perfectly, but they still work! Imagine a collection of different ideas, or different styles of houses. That’s what we call a patchwork.
👶 For kids: Like a puzzle made of different things that don't all match but still fit together.
More Examples
The manager had to assemble a patchwork team to complete the project.
The novel was a patchwork of different narrative styles.
How It's Used
"The new legislation was a patchwork of ideas from different parties."
"The building's facade was a patchwork of different architectural styles."
Made of pieces of fabric sewn together.
/ˈpætʃwɜːrk/
Made of patches
The artist created a colorful patchwork design for the wall.
💡 Simply: Imagine something that is made from a bunch of different little pieces of fabric or other materials sewn together. That’s patchwork! It’s often colorful and interesting!
👶 For kids: Made of pieces of fabric sewed together.
More Examples
The children enjoyed making patchwork animals during the craft session.
She selected patchwork curtains to add a vintage feel to the room.
How It's Used
"She was wearing a patchwork skirt."
"The house was decorated with patchwork cushions."
Idioms & expressions
patchwork quilt
A quilt made by sewing together pieces of fabric.
"She made a patchwork quilt for her granddaughter."
patchwork of
A combination or mixture of diverse things.
"The new law was a patchwork of different policies."
From "patch" (a piece of cloth) + "work," referring to a craft involving joining together pieces of fabric. The term emerged in the 18th century.
Historically, patchwork was a method of conserving fabric, using scraps to create new items. It became especially popular during times of scarcity.
Memory tip
Imagine a quilt made of many different patches; that's patchwork!