PVC Fabric

PVC fabric is a highly versatile, waterproof material. It is most commonly used for creating wipe-clean tablecloths, durable bags, and rain-proof clothing. Because of its bold, shiny finish, it is also incredibly popular for theatrical costumes, cosplay, and alternative fashion garments.

Sewing PVC can be slightly tricky because the sticky plastic surface tends to grip the metal presser foot of your sewing machine. To fix this, you can use a Teflon foot or a walking foot. Alternatively, a great budget trick is to place a piece of tissue paper between the PVC and the foot, then gently tear the paper away once your seam is stitched.

Not at all! Because PVC features a solid plastic coating, the edges will never fray or unravel. This means you do not need to hem your projects if you do not want to. You can simply cut your tablecloth or garment to size with sharp scissors or a rotary cutter and leave the raw edge exactly as it is for a perfectly neat finish.

The best way to clean PVC is to simply wipe it down with a damp cloth and mild soapy water. You should never put PVC fabric in the washing machine or the tumble dryer, as the heat and spinning will permanently warp, crack, and damage the plastic coating. It also cannot be ironed, so it is best to store it rolled rather than folded to prevent deep, permanent creases.