ive used silk in quilts- silk is pretty special stuff!
yes-pre-wash and if you have a bleeder- toss in color catchers---
i use a fusable non-woven stablizer with silks- applied before cutting
use a new sharp needle- i use silk thread so also use a pretty small needle- you need to match your needle to your thread- use the needle size appropriate for the thread size/type you are using- and make it a new/sharp needle you will do fine.
i love hand stitching/embellishing -- the silks add such shimmer to quilts- give them that step above the ordinary!