Stiched or tacked facing?

[Dan D'Silva]

I'm currently at work on a crescent shield; it's wood (can't do wicker or vertical stickwork at this time) and, although I understand questions of accuracy may be moot because this style may not have even been made in solid wood, I'd like to know what would generally be the better way to attach a hide facing as regards either practicality or plausibility.

If I stitch it, I can take it to the wood shop in the next week or so and use the drill press, which will keep the holes straight and make drilling faster.  If I just use short cut tacks, I won't need to bother with pre-drilled holes.