Let's firstly talk about history of patchwork quilts! The history of quilting goes as far back as 3400 BCE. Unfortunately, remnants of these quilts don't exist, but historians can tell by drawings that quilts were part of the culture from that long ago. There is a carved ivory figure in the British Museum of an Egyptian pharaoh who appears to be wearing a "quilted mantle."
Although patchwork and quilting were used to make bed covers, the finest became family heirlooms in midieval times. Later in Middle Ages, quilting was also used for protective wear, such as that worn under armor to make it more comfortable and durable. The prevalence of quilting varied through centuries depending on social changes, materials available and so on.
It was not just about working on another piece of cloth but also a gathering of several generations of women who passed this tradition on to the younger girls.
The 17th century is known to be a peak time of quilting and patchwork making. Today, quilts and patchwork crafts are highly less popular due to other commercially produced alternatives that exsist on the market, but slowly and surely are becoming more desired by people who value handmade arts.
Nevertheless, patchwork isn't just another puzzle that you put together; it also has a robust tradition in its background. Back in time, in isolated regions women were gathering around the frame and were quilting together, which helped them to overcome the loneliness that many women were deeply experiencing at the time. It was not just about working on another piece of cloth but also a gathering of several generations of women who passed this tradition on to the younger girls.
As I see it, patchwork and quilting tradition is a real group work, where solidarity between people prevails. Each individual is essential to make one piece of an ordinary cloth a great whole.
Sources: https://mymodernmet.com/quilt-history/, http://www.womenfolk.com/quilting_history/quilting.htm