I guess photographers need to be flexible. My employer needed some large fabric samples photographed so that they can be used to display on products for viewing on the web. We had 54 samples that arrived in a big box and we had to provide hi-res images at a constant scale. The sample sizes ranges from 24 - 40in in various shapes. After a lot of experimentation, we finally decided it would be easier to mount each sample (after it was ironed) on a 24x36 piece of illustration board with binder clips, position this at a standard location in front of my camera setup. We used two Speedlights for illumination. It ended up taking us a lot longer than planned (don't these things always turn out that way?), but we learned a few good lessons from the experience.
1) don't do these kind of projects unless you can charge by the sample (at least $50 each). Remember this is photography, and after the shoot requires post processing, color balance, sharpening, etc.
2) lighting is critical. It's difficult to get constant/flat illumination from 2 Speedlights, even on the small samples. We managed to pull it off because the lighting was not that critical on most of the samples.
3) to check to see the light falloff, shoot a BLACK background. You will be able to see exactly the light pattern, the hot spots and how the light falls off. This wasn't apparent to me until I shot a dark sample and noticed the gradient, then the black board told all.
It was a good experience but not a good way to spend a weekend.
Question: would you buy a quilt with these patterns?