I love crazy quilts. I've been working on individual blocks for a year now. I've been given about 15 various sizes and colors of dupioni silk by a friend in our quilt guild. (What a friend, right?) These fabrics are anywhere from a fat quarter to a yard. I also have been collecting silk ties which I've taken apart, washed and ironed. I have 53 of them. I think I have enough fabric to start crazy quilt blocks. My question is, have any of you gals and guys on the board sewn with silk? I know I need to use a stabilizer, but I don't know which one to use. Also, I put the purple fabric in some warm water to check the bleeding and it's profuse! Should I wash all these dupioni silks with retayne before putting them in my quilt? What size needle and thread should I use. I appreciate the knowledge and experience of everyone on this board and thank you ahead of time for your help.