You will definitively need to stabilize the silk fabric. I feel the same as WilliP. You could put cotton borders around it to get around the ironing part. Silks sew nice but are slippery. Take your time sewing...don't be a speed racer. The bamboo batting is great also. How I always make things for other people is I make it like I was going to keep it for myself. Good Luck and be patient. Also you're friend needs to realize that this isn't a fast thing to just throw it together.