patchwork

/ˈpætʃˌwɜrk/
noun
  1. A type of needlework in which small pieces of cloth in different colors and patterns are sewn together to form a larger design, often used for quilts or blankets.
    • My grandmother made a beautiful patchwork quilt from old dresses.
    • She learned patchwork in a sewing class and now makes her own blankets.
    • The craft fair had many patchwork pillows and table runners for sale.
  2. Something made up of many different parts or elements, often in a way that seems uneven or varied.
    • The country's laws are a patchwork of old and new regulations.
    • The garden was a patchwork of flowers, vegetables, and herbs.
    • His essay was a patchwork of ideas from different sources.
adjective
  1. Made of or resembling patchwork; having many different colors, patterns, or pieces.
    • She wore a patchwork skirt with squares of red, blue, and yellow.
    • Their garden had a patchwork look with different types of plants growing together.
    • The old barn had a patchwork roof made from scraps of metal.
  2. Composed of many different or mismatched parts; not uniform.
    • They created a patchwork solution using parts from several old machines.
    • The company's patchwork computer system caused frequent problems.
    • The neighborhood was a patchwork mix of old houses and new apartments.