patchwork
Quilt-making technique
Patchwork is needlework made by sewing together small pieces of different fabrics to form a larger design, as in a patchwork quilt.
The term extends to anything assembled from diverse, often mismatched parts: a patchwork of fields and forests, a patchwork of local regulations.
The implication is usually of improvisation or inconsistency rather than unified design.
Confused, disorderly mixture
- mishmashDisorderly mixture of elements
- jumbleConfused disorderly collection
- medleyVaried mixture or blend
- mosaicInlaid pictorial arrangement
potpourri · assemblage · conglomeration · amalgamation · mixture · pastiche · collage · bricolage
Layered fabric stitching
- fabricWoven or knit material
- stitchingJoining with needle, thread
- piecingJoining separate parts
- blocksObstructs or sections
batting · applique · squares · needlework · sewing · heirloom · sampler · borders
Repairing by covering
- mendingRestoring damaged items
- darningRepairing fabric by weaving
- stitchingJoining with needle, thread
- fixingRestoring proper function
reinforcement · sewing · tailoring · alterations · hemming · makeshift · improvised · stopgap
Lacking steady uniformity
- unevenNot smooth or balanced
- fragmentedBroken into pieces
- disjointedLacking orderly sequence
- haphazardLacking organization or plan
irregular · incomplete · piecemeal · ad-hoc · cobbled-together · makeshift · improvised · disconnected
Expanses for cultivation
- farmlandAgricultural terrain
- plotsSecret plans or storylines
- parcelsWrapped items for delivery
- terrainLand's physical features
checkerboard · aerial · countryside · agricultural · pastoral · hedgerows · boundaries · irregular
hodgepodge
Confused, disorderly mixture
- mishmashDisorderly mixture of elements
- jumbleConfused disorderly collection
- medleyVaried mixture or blend
mosaic · potpourri · assemblage · conglomeration · amalgamation · mixture · pastiche · collage · bricolage · miscellany
quilting
Layered fabric stitching
blocks · batting · applique · squares · needlework · sewing · heirloom · sampler · borders · backing
patching
Repairing by covering
- mendingRestoring damaged items
- darningRepairing fabric by weaving
- stitchingJoining with needle, thread
fixing · reinforcement · sewing · tailoring · alterations · hemming · makeshift · improvised · stopgap · temporary
inconsistent
Lacking steady uniformity
- unevenNot smooth or balanced
- fragmentedBroken into pieces
- disjointedLacking orderly sequence
haphazard · irregular · incomplete · piecemeal · ad-hoc · cobbled-together · makeshift · improvised · disconnected · incoherent
fields
Expanses for cultivation
terrain · checkerboard · aerial · countryside · agricultural · pastoral · hedgerows · boundaries · irregular · fragmented
- fabric patternsfloral print, pinstripes, geometric print, herringbone, houndstooth
- Needlecraftembroidery hoop, cross-stitch, needlepoint, crewel, crewelwork
- quiltingquilt, quilting, quilts, quilt top, piecing
- folk patternshex signs, kente, kente cloth, mudcloth, kilim
- bricolageassemblage, collage, found objects, mixed media, repurposing
- textilescotton, wool, silk, fabric, thread
patchworkseamless
Without visible joins
monolithic · unified · whole cloth · continuous · unbroken
patchworkuniform
Identical throughout
homogeneous · consistent · standardized · monolithic · identical
patchworksystematic
Following ordered procedures
comprehensive · coordinated · planned · coherent · deliberate
- patchwork quiltBlanket of stitched remnants
patchworks, patchworked, patchworking, patchwork quilt, patchwork quilts