patchworkpatch‧work /ˈpætʃwɜːk $ -wɜːrk/ noun 
[uncountable] a type of sewing in which many coloured squares of cloth are stitched together to make one large piece: 
a patchwork quilt2[singular] something that is made up of a lot of different thingspatchwork of a patchwork of woods and fields, typical of the English countryside The area was a patchwork of local industries.
EXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS
- A patchwork of care may well be required that is drawn from private and voluntary as well as formal and informal sources.
- Across the lake is a patchwork quilt of Yorkshire countryside to the hills beyond.
- He wraps around himself the dusty patchwork cloak of his invisibility and the heralds gallop hither and yon in vain.
- His favourite was in bright print patchwork, and he wore it dead straight, one inch above his eyebrows.
- Now there is a patchwork of state legislation enacted to deal with the legal and ethical issues raised by genetic information.
- Saturday I made a patchwork cot cover by hand, I have good practical skills.
- She was making a patchwork quilt for the baby's cot.
WORD SETS
appliqué, nounbaste, verbbobbin, nounbodkin, nouncable-knit, adjectivechain stitch, nouncotton, nouncrochet, verbcross-stitch, nounembroider, verbembroidery, nouneye, nounfancywork, nounneedle, nounneedlepoint, nounneedlewoman, nounneedlework, nounpatchwork, nounpattern, nounplain, nounpurl, nounquilting, nounribbing, nounsampler, nounseamstress, nounsew, verbsewing, nounsewing machine, nounspinning wheel, nounstitch, nountack, nountack, verbtatting, nounthread, verbunpick, verb
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY a patchwork quiltCOLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSNOUN
1 a patchwork quilt· Under the patchwork quilt, David turned over and sleepily pulled Clare towards him.· In the past, local hotlines have to the best of their ability provided only a patchwork quilt of assistance.· Across the lake is a patchwork quilt of Yorkshire countryside to the hills beyond.· And did he have their little scarves sewn up into a patchwork quilt?· After that, huddled under the patchwork quilt, they made love in a lazy, unhurried way.· The great double bed had brass rails and was covered with a patchwork quilt.· She shivered, jumped back into bed, and snuggled lower under the patchwork quilt.· There were tiny fields, like a patchwork quilt thrown across the rocks.
VERB· Saturday I made a patchwork cot cover by hand, I have good practical skills.· This makes for a patchwork quality with occasional repetition, but the book is still a worthwhile reading endeavor.· She was making a patchwork quilt for the baby's cot.
[uncountable] a type of sewing in which many coloured squares of cloth are stitched together to make one large piece: a patchwork quilt2[singular] something that is made up of a lot of different thingspatchwork of a patchwork of woods and fields, typical of the English countryside The area was a patchwork of local industries.