First I want to say that you are a wonderful person to do this. Then....I have never made one of these and haven't looked at all the links. My thoughts are that they will not stand up as a lap quilt, but would do well as a wall hanging. I would not attach the ribbons permanently. I would just figure out how to make background squares or use a one piece solid background- for the ribbons and then use some type of pin, like a safety pin and place the ribbons on the background squares. This allows so much flexibility with taking them off and rotating them out. And you could wash the background quilt if it needs it and re-pin the ribbons back on.
Another thought would be to use the same technique and make a bed runner. Those almost never need to be washed.