A wind blade is provided. The wind blade includes a self-supporting structural framework, having multiple chord-wise members and one or more span-wise members. Each of the multiple chord-wise members and the one or more span-wise members have an aerodynamic contour. The wind blade also comprises a fabric skin located over the self-supporting structural framework. Further, the wind blade includes a tensioning mechanism configured for providing pretensioning in the fabric skin. The tensioning mechanism includes multiple mechanical force elements coupled with the fabric skin for providing a predetermined force for maintaining an aerodynamic surface of the fabric skin during operation of the wind blade.