Patchwork anyone?

I sew patchwork by hand, using only recycled materials as far as possible. I find hand-sewing a quiet and peaceful time and take pride in my millions of even little stitches.
Just finished the patchwork for a throw. I haven’t got space anywhere to spread out a bed-sized one for adding the backing and wadding then doing the quilting.
Does anyone know how our peasant ancestors managed to make bed quilts in overcrowded cottages?