I'm Totally Crushing on Ryan Gosling's Scorpion Jacket from the Movie Drive

Hey Girl.

As one popular Tumblr ode to Ryan Gosling says, he's "your favorite sensitive movie dude-turned-meme." Another Tumblr puts it more bluntly. And a recent video by Gosling doppelganger Joey shares "How to Look Like Ryan Gosling." Which got me thinking about snagging Ryan Gosling's style. Forget the hoodie and well-groomed 5 o'clock scruff. I mean, did you see that embroidered scorpion jacket he wore in Drive? (Ahem, in case you can't tell them apart, that's Ryan on the left.)

You can actually buy it -- oh, but making it would be so much more fun. And so I set out to make some sweet scorpion threads inspired by that original jacket -- no satin quilting, no embroidery, just a white jacket from a thrift store and some fabric paint. And since my favorite new sensitive dude happens to be pint-sized, I've decided to make it in miniature for my little gosling. (Note: These instructions can produce a version for a full-sized goose as long as you start with a full-sized jacket!)


Materials:
-White zip-front jacket or sweatshirt
-Pen
-Contact paper
-Craft knife and cutting mat
-Masking tape
-Yellow fabric paint, brush or spray on (for scorpion)
-Orange fabric paint, brush or spray on (for highlights)
-Black fabric paint, brush or spray on (for trim)
-Paint brushes (optional)
-Sewing machine threaded with white thread (optional)
-Scissors (optional)



Make it:
1. Lay the jacket flat and measure the approximate dimensions of the back panel. Cut a piece of contact paper to those dimensions. Draw or trace the outline of a scorpion onto the paper.

2. Use the craft knife and cutting mat to cut out the contact paper stencil.

3. Peel off the paper backing of the contact paper and press the stencil onto the back of the jacket.

4. Paint the entire scorpion shape with yellow paint. (Use fabric spray paint or paint it on with a brush for more precision.)

5. Paint some highlights on the scorpion with orange paint to show the shadows.

6. Line the bottom edge of the jacket, the sleeve ends, and the shoulder seams with masking tape and paint them black.

7. Let the paint dry completely and carefully pull off the tape and stencil. Optional: If the jacket has a hood, cut and hem it to create a collar. (Hey, we're going for authenticity here!)

8. Try the jacket on your littler driver. Okay, so he can't even hold his head up yet, but he sure knows how to grip the wheel! Next up: Get him a driver's license...in 16 years.


Photo of Ryan Gosling via FirstShowing.

Visit us on Facebook!
Craft on!