Only time I did that was when I needed to replace a zipper in an older, heavy canvas tent.
I use to set up the quilting frame outside to baste the layers - only place with enough room. It's what my Mom and Grandma had done too. set up the boards so it was the correct size, lay out the backing and tack it to the boards with thumb tacks, smooth out the batting, then put the top on. Start basting with thread and rolling up the quilt as you go.
Where I live now, a calm day is a rare thing - so sewing outside would be difficult. Not to mention dealing with the attentions of the barn cats LOL!!