Can I mix up different fabrics in a quilt?

[HeadFairy]

I'm attempting my first big quilt and I've got some lovely blocks which I want to frame with a different fabric. The blocks are 100% cotton, would it be wrong to use a different fabric, like a silk to either create a border or to surround my blocks?

I wouldn't. The stretch and shrink will be different in each fabric and that could mean it washes badly....resulting in gathers and wavy fabric.

I thought that might be the case... I wanted to introduce a little textural variety. Perhaps I should look for some cottons with an interesting finish instead.

I wonder though...I mean Victorian Crazy Quilts were made up of all kinds of fabrics...but the pieces were small... like this

with small bits of fabric the distortion isn't quite so much, but it would probably still need stabilising if you want to use silks. the other problem us that the silk isn't nearly as hard wearing so might tear quite easily. if you are after different texture around the outside, try a brushed cotton - much softer than normal cotton.