: I've used the exact same sewing method on every boat skin I've
: sewn, regardless of the material used. In fact, it was developed
: by Bill Lowe specifically for sewing Dyson's 13 oz. polyester,
: which requires very high sewing tension. With lighter fabrics
: (9-10 oz. poly', 8 oz. Nylon), I use only as much tension as
: necessary to pull the skin tight. You are always going to get
: some pulling at the stitch holes, regardless of the fabric used,
: but the holes easy to fill with a drop of varnish on each. I'd
: rather have to fill holes than end up with a loose skin. I don't
: think you can have it both ways.

I stretched my Skinboat "Primo" nylon percussion instrument tight and it didn't open stitch holes, but like most others, I have terrible tension changes with humidity. I was not all that impressed with its sewing characteristics until I saw in situ photos of others' sewing and holes the size of a pencil opening up.

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