I have done it this way too and am about half way, after 2 years of collecting, of making a bed quilt - to be viewed only, not slept under. I found the purples and reds the worst for bleeding.
If you look at sites that cover Victorian crazy quilting then you will see what ckcow means about hand embellishment.
Here is a photo that I took somewhere of a cushion I admired made in cottons that show this technique, and it adapts very beautifully to silk. Will make it one day, in silk!
Originally Posted by ckcowl
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!