This might be a tad "off topic" - but have you seen Claire Rowley's sewing machine feet, or watched her YouTube videos? She designed many of the feet for a friend who is either blind or legally blind, so the feet do most of the work. You might want to check those out.
I had understood that the newer processes for printing pictures on fabric COULD be washed and dried with little to no fading at all, once the ink was heat set onto the fabric.......You might want to check that out.........
GOOD LUCK with your project!! Your ideas are wonderful..........