If there's one thing you need to know before you even attempt to sew plastic/PVC/vinyl, it's that there's no going back. Any holes you make will be unclose-able and forever visible. Particularly if you're using clear PVC like I did, you can see all the internal finishes, so every little stitch, thread colour and placement has to be thoroughly considered.
The good news is, if you do it well, you can create a real eye-catching, stand-out design.
Here are some tips to 'do it well':
Using contrast thread can look great against clear PVC. Alternatively, if you don't want it to be very visible, using white thread does the trick.
Binding edges creates an outstanding contrast and helps ensure the raw plastic does not feel harsh against the skin.
Use a teflon foot on your sewing machine, so it glides across the fabric with ease.
Use tear-away paper beneath your fabric, so the feed-dogs of the machine don't press down and create irreparable marks into the PVC.
If sewing something large like a jacket, it may help to have a second pair of hands as it can get very heavy and stick to things, making it difficult to sew.
Use corn-starch or baby powder over your fabric when sewing two pieces together, to ensure they don't stick together and allow for flexibility of movement. This can be easily wiped away later with a dry or damp cloth.
Use an erasable pen like a friction pen to mark your patterns onto the clear fabric, and sections such as button placketts, so you can remove the lines later. You cannot cut notches as the fabric will become damaged and the cuts will be visible.
In the end, my clear coat was a smash hit. I received many compliments on it - some even said it was the star of the show (shh!)