Patchwork is often defined as a piecing technique as in quilt making, "pieced work" is known as a form of needlework that involves sewing together pieces of fabric into a larger design. The larger design is usually based on repeating patterns built up with different fabric shapes These shapes are carefully measured and cut, basic geometric shapes making them easy to piece together.

But more broadly, patchwork is needlework in which small pieces of cloth in different designs, colors, or textures are sewn together.