Jute should be pretty stiff if o recall correctly though not as stiff as flax. Don't know what hessian is. It will add weight but so would raw hide and sinew. It's probably stiffer than rawhide and sinew, and lighter, but unlike them it does not shrink. I wonder if there is a way to pre stretch it as you put it on? I think ot should work just as good as a linen fabric backing, but i'm not sure. Try it out and let us know!
