I just got done doing this on my 8. YES you do want to go from front to back (at least I did) following lots of other examples before us.
The issue is, in order to get the rear sides to pull in TIGHT you have to bend the rear up quite a bit. I can't imagine getting it right starting from the rear without having to cut the skirt on the sides or other drastic steps.
One thing I learned, do both sides at the same time. Get all of the front rivets drilled in place on both sides, then pull both of the tails in place and use long strips of duct tape to hold them down tight and in place. Make sure both sides are pulled in tightly an they use your measurements and lineup lines to drill the holes around the rear. In my case I did one side then the other and the canopy shifted and I had gaps. So I filled the holes and did it again with both sides at once and it came out perfect!
Here's some pictures from mine.
http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...&postcount=100
Good luck!