I agree that you can use as many techniques as needed for the project!!
One idea I'd like to offer is this... how about taking the picture of the ribbon to an embroidery business and have the ribbon stitched by them? We have a business here that scans in your image and converts it to an embroidery file and embroiders the size that you want in the colours you want. I am sure you'd find a business like that near you.
Good Luck! Looking forward to your posting.
PS the buffalo only looks intimidating... I see it as four pieces... horns, head (with goatee), muzzle and nose, with some satins stitching for the outline of the nose and the eyes. Get a textured brown fabric for the buffalo and it will turn out great.