I have used photos in many quilts; I do not put any stitches over them.
I am devoted to the white miracle fabric sheets from C Jenkins Co. to print photos for quilts
It's got a hand almost like lawn cotton.
I buy irregulars cause they're cheaper and it's stray threads that make them irregular - easy to snip off.
Much better hand than Printed Treasures, which is also much more expensive.
http://www.cjenkinscompany.com