My husband and I are big fans of the FX television show, Sons of Anarchy. Sadly, this is the last season. [*tear*] My husband is also a biker himself, albeit a sport biker (and a law-abiding one at that….as far as I know, at least….). For Halloween this year, we thought it would be cute to dress up our little man as a biker from the show, almost as a mini Jax Teller (minus the long hair and pristine white sneakers). I made a DIY-version of the Sons’ leather vests, and since my son is only 16-months-old, I changed his costume up a bit and made it Toddlers of Anarchy, just to make it a little more playful. And I swear he makes the cutest little biker baby you’ve ever laid eyes on!
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My Inspiration
My inspiration for my little man’s Sons of Anarchy toddler Halloween costume was Jax of course: black vest with distinctive SOA patches, white t-shirt, jeans, and tattoos. Keep reading to find out how I was able to pull everything together….even the tattoos!
[Yes, I realize not everyone will find this Halloween costume appropriate for a toddler. I don’t care. I am his mom and I think it is adorable. Not in your stereotypical pumpkin or Spiderman or lobster costume (we did that last year, and he was so stinkin’ cute then too!). If you don’t think a toddler should be dressing up as a motorcyclist for Halloween, then I suggest you stop reading now…and develop a sense of humor. Life’s too short to be grumpy about insignificant stuff. Lighten up! :)]
The Black Vest
While going through my son’s closet earlier this year to purge all the clothes that no longer fit him, I spotted this black hoodie from last winter. It’s a size 12-months and he still fits it in the torso since he’s a skinny minny. However, he’s also always been over the 100th percentile for height, so the sleeves are waaay too short. Therefore, this would make the perfect vest for this costume….just some chopping with my scissors would take care of it in no time!
The Toddlers of Anarchy Patch Designs
To design the patches for the vest (which are the main components of this costume), I first did a Google image search to see what the real vests in the show look like to base mine after. I also downloaded both a high resolution image of their grim reaper logo as well as a free font called Carnevalee Freakshow that was the first result when searching for “Sons of Anarchy font”….and it’s perfect!
Using Photoshop Elements, I then designed all the different patches and positioned them so they would fit on one 8.5″ x 11″ sheet of printable vinyl (more on this in a bit).
I changed some of the patches to make them more fitting for us and a little more playful. We’ll also be spending Halloween up in Kentucky at my parents’ house (it’s my dad’s birthday too!), so no reference to Alabama even though that’s where we currently live…the Bluegrass will always be my Old Kentucky Home….
- Sons of Anarchy –> Toddlers of Anarchy
- President, Men of Mayhem –> President, Tots of Terror
- California –> Kentucky
- Redwood Original –> Bluegrass Original
- MC (Motorcycle Club) –> TC (Tricycle Club)
Printing the Patches On Printable Vinyl
To make the patches, I bought a pack of printable vinyl that you can use on any inkjet printer and then simply iron on to fabric. My plan was to print out the wording for all the patches on the vinyl, cut them out, iron them onto white fabric, cut those out, then hand-stitch everything onto the black hoodie/vest.
I first printed out my design on a plain white sheet of printer paper then cut out the individual patches just to make sure I had the sizes correct. My first test run proved successful, so I then loaded up my printer with a sheet of my printable vinyl and did another print. Then I cut out each of the patches.
Creating the Patches
To finish making the patches, I sacrificed a plain white undershirt from my husband’s stash….he’s got hundreds of them, so I figured he won’t miss this one. I first ironed the shirt to make it nice and smooth, then ironed on the vinyl.
It was super easy too….I just used the cotton setting with NO steam (ink smearing = bad), and applied even pressure and heat for about 20 seconds over each patch. They stuck very well, although I did have to do 2-3 passes over each to get a firm adhesion.
Once everything cooled down, I used my scissors and cut each one out, leaving about a 1/4″ edge of fabric along the outside of each. This is where I would hand-stitch them onto the vest.
Creating the Vest
To turn Rowan’s hoodie into a biker vest, all I needed was a pair of scissors. I simply used my scissors and cut just on the outside of the seams along both sleeves as well as the hood, and voila! Instant biker vest.
Sewing on the Patches
Next came the most time-consuming part of this costume creation: hand-sewing all the patches on. Now, I don’t sew. At all. It’s on my bucket list to eventually get a sewing machine and learn because I would absolutely LOVE to know how to create lots of cute and fun and functional goodies….hey, I love all things crafty.
I’ve probably only ever hand-sew a couple buttons on in my entire life, and maybe stitched up a ripped seam once or twice. Maybe. But I was not intimated by this (it’s just a toddler’s costume after all!), so I grabbed our travel sewing kit that normally has a happy home in our junk drawer and got ready to dive right it.
For the back of the vest, I used some painter’s tape to space the patches correctly and keep everything in position. Once again, I don’t sew, so no straight pins here!
I then loaded up my needle with some white thread and started hand-stitching all the patches on. Once the back was complete, I did the same to the four patches on the front.
Yes, I know my stitches are HUGE. I give you permission to laugh. Really, go ahead. I laugh at them, too. But you know what?…..they got the job done, baby! That’s all that matters here. I was aiming for completion, not perfection, and I figured a rough and tough biker gang wouldn’t worry about the size of their stitches, so why should my biker baby?
Painting the Vest Collar
The vest was almost complete now. I just needed to take care of that neon lime green ring around the collar (I doubt the Sons are fans of neon). Some trusty black craft paint took care of the job in no time!
The Final Outfit
Now that all the patches were sewn on the vest and there was no more neon in sight, my little boy’s Toddler of Anarchy Halloween costume was complete! Here is his final outfit:
- Toddlers of Anarchy biker vest: The main component. Totes adorbs, no?
- Tattooed t-shirt: This was an awesome steal I found one day on Zulily last month! I was originally planning on using a bunch of temporary tattoos thanks to some tattoo paper and my Silhouette Cameo, but this shirt was just too cute to pass up. Not only does it work perfectly with this costume (I mean, doesn’t it?!), but I got an ahhh-mazing deal on it, and he can wear it long after Halloween. Perfect!
- Gray denim jeans: These were a Christmas gift from Grammy and Grampy B last year. They were a little too big for him then, but they’re just the right size now….and they definitely complete the look!
- Hard-Core pumpkin bucket: I just had to give him a matching (and personalized) bucket for trick-or-treating. Had to. When I couldn’t find one that I liked, I made one!
My Little Toddler of Anarchy is Ready to Ride…errr, Trick or Treat!
How cute is this little biker baby?! Nothing sinister about him at all! I just love how everything came together, and it actually took a lot less time to create than I originally expected (even with my hideous hand-sewing). I can’t wait to take him trick-or-treating!
Once I put him in this costume for a trial-run, he became super energized and didn’t want to waste any time having his picture taken. Hopefully I’ll be able to get some more pics during trick-or-treating!
***UPDATE! Please Read!***
I’m so happy to hear that there are lots of other SOA fans out there who want to dress their tots up as their favorite characters for Halloween! Unfortunately I will no longer be able to email anyone my template and I AM NOT SELLING ANY CUSTOM COSTUMES….I just don’t have the time! Sorry!
If You Enjoyed This….
Make sure you check out my Project Gallery for lots of other fun creations, including these Halloween goodies!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Sarah says
October 15, 2018 at 10:58 amHey do you have the patch design in a jpeg that you could email me if possible?
Jackson Curtis says
April 21, 2018 at 3:49 amI also bought a adult Sons of Anarchy vest a couple of weeks ago for just $99 really happy of having it!
Rebecca Hedgecock says
September 19, 2016 at 9:26 amWould you possibly have time to make two for my sons? Except a little different?
Jami says
October 6, 2016 at 5:59 pmIf you dont have time to email the template..is there anyway you could post and editable template to your page? I would love to have it!
Jamie Field says
September 14, 2016 at 7:02 pmHi! i just wanna say I absolutely love this costume! My son is 1 1/2 his name is Jax Daniel Stapleton and We are planning for him to be Jax Teller for Halloween. We plan to change a few things for instance We are doing Sons of Stapleton, Evergreen Chapter and Washington. I know you said you don’t have time to send the template but could you maybe tell me at least maybe the font sizes? and where you got the sons of anarchy emblem? I would really appreciate it. Thank you so much.
Caroline says
October 18, 2015 at 9:23 pmWhat font did you use for his name on his bucket? I love that font but have been unsuccessful in finding it. Thank you.
Sondra Hammond says
October 15, 2015 at 12:50 amWould you please share your file on SOA. I have twin grandsons Caiden & Camden, 17 months old. I’m so excited to make these for my babies.
Thanks, Sondra
Christine says
October 15, 2015 at 11:19 amSorry Sondra, but like I stated above, I’m not able to share my file.
Ashlee says
October 14, 2015 at 4:34 pmCan you tell me what kind of pritable vinyl you used and where you got it?
Christine says
October 15, 2015 at 11:21 amHi Ashlee! The brand I used is from Square 1 Masterpiece. It’s a great product but I would not recommend the company, more on why here: http://www.wherethesmileshavebeen.com/valentine-robot-shirt-with-print-cut-heat-transfer-vinyl/
Jamie says
October 14, 2015 at 5:00 amSo Cute! I am using this for my lil one! We live in KY too! It’s just too perfect!
Christine says
October 15, 2015 at 11:22 amThat’s awesome, Jamie! It’s always nice to hear from a fellow Kentuckian (and SOA fan)! ;)
Maria says
October 9, 2015 at 8:36 pmLove this, thank you for all the pictures!
Tiffany Zentner says
September 25, 2015 at 3:43 pmWhat kind/ brand of vinyl did you use for the patches? I’m having a hard time figuring out what to use…where did you get it.
Kelsey says
September 20, 2015 at 11:12 amHi, Christine! This is the best idea I’ve seen in a long time! I loved this show and I was so sad to see it go! Are you able to send me the file to my email! I would love my 16 month old to be a mini Jax for Halloween!
Christine says
September 20, 2015 at 11:29 amHi Kelsey! Glad to hear from a fellow SOA fan! Sorry, but like I stated above, I’m no longer able to share my file.
Louise Young says
September 15, 2015 at 2:36 pmPlease please please can you help me I’ve tried everything to try and recreate this for my little one. I’ve been at it for weeks Please save a busy mum of 4 children and give me some tips.
My 3 year old daughter is autistic although she’s not watched this she became obsessed with the picture of the reaper on the dvd box cover. She never shows any interest in anything but she now has a son’s of anarchy poster in her room. I would love to dress her up as a bad ass son’s member but add your more child friendly spin to it Please can you help me make custom template I would even pay for the design.
Christine says
September 19, 2015 at 10:35 pmHello there, Louise! I”m glad to hear from a fellow SOA fan, and that it’s helped your daughter (my son is also a fan of the reaper picture). I’m so very sorry, but I just don’t have the time to create any custom templates. And while I appreciate your offer to pay for one, I don’t have commercial rights to any of the elements, so even if I wanted to sell one, I can’t. I hope you have a Happy Halloween though!
Candice S. says
August 30, 2015 at 6:39 pmHi Christine!!
I absolutely love this idea! My husband and I are (were) SOA fans and hated to see it go. I would love to have “one last ride” by allowing my son to be a mini Jax Teller this Halloween :)
Is there anyway possible you could email me the template you used?
Please and pretty please :)))
Christine says
August 30, 2015 at 7:15 pmGlad to hear you’re a fellow SOA fan, Candice! Like I’ve stated above though, I’m no longer sharing my file. Sorry!
Candice Short says
August 31, 2015 at 7:46 amMy apologies – I didn’t read that far or I wouldn’t have asked.
Thank you for letting me know.
Sarah says
August 25, 2015 at 7:01 pmHi is there any way you would make and sell two? Thanks!
Christine says
August 26, 2015 at 1:36 pmI’m sorry Sarah but I don’t have commercial rights or the time to sell these!
Cassidy says
July 31, 2015 at 10:16 amOh. My. GOSH.. This is the absolute cutest idea ever!! I saw earlier where you said you would send the file you have from making this for your Rowan. Any way you could email it to me? I would LOVE to create this but I am the least creative and photoshop savvy person in the world! Thank you SO much for this idea. I have been racking my brain trying to think of a creative costume for my 19 month old and this is perfect. We are huge SOA fans (our dogs are named Jax and Teller!!). Again, thanks for sharing!
Christine says
August 5, 2015 at 9:54 pmHey Cassidy! Sure, I can email you the JPG of the file I used. Love your dogs’ names too! :)
Sarah says
August 25, 2015 at 7:04 pmHey would you make and sell 2 of the vest?
Christine says
August 25, 2015 at 9:23 pmHey Sarah! Sorry but I don’t have the time or commercial rights to sell these. Glad you like it though!
sarah says
August 28, 2015 at 5:47 pmIm so sorry to bother you but I love this! Could you please send me the jpeg file? Thanks so much!
Christine says
August 30, 2015 at 7:20 pmI’m sorry Sarah, but like I’ve stated above, I’m no longer able to share my files. Have a nice day!
Sarah pennachio says
September 2, 2015 at 10:35 amOk no biggie! Not sure if you can answer but I am going to make this for my twins for Halloween and I was looking into the vinyl paper. Did you get the iron on vinyl paper or just regular? Because many of them said they rip easily so I just want to make sure I get the right one. Thanks and sorry before with same questions my phone is broken and resent it. Thanks again for your time!
Christine says
September 2, 2015 at 9:22 pmOh no worries, Sarah! I used iron-on printable vinyl (so it is heat transfer) that is very thick and definitely not paper-like. I also used it for this shirt. The particular brand I used is from Square1 Masterpiece but I would NOT recommend them, despite the product being really good (they have terrible customer service and I had a nightmare trying to get my order….their Facebook page shows that a lot of others have the same issue). I haven’t tried any other brands but I’ve heard Avery makes a good kind too. Good luck with your kiddos’ costumes! :)
sarah says
September 3, 2015 at 7:21 amYou have the cutest pictures of your son!!! Thanks again! ;)
Christine says
September 11, 2015 at 8:53 pmWhy thank you, Sarah! He is a cute little thing, huh? :)
angie says
July 20, 2015 at 7:39 pmI love this. I would love to make one for my fiance’s godson. do you have a template of some sort tthat you could send? he is turning two soon and i would love to give it to him as a birthday gift!! what a kick a** idea!!
Christine says
July 20, 2015 at 9:35 pmLOL, Angie! Glad to hear from a fellow SOA fan….very kick a** indeed! ;) No, sorry, I don’t have any template for this, but it would be really easy to recreate. I just grabbed the SOA image from a Google search and then downloaded the font to customize the wording. Good luck! :)
Bitten says
February 2, 2015 at 1:10 pmHi Christine! I just made a vest like this for my son for a costume party this weekend!
Wrote about it on my blog right here: http://www.bittent.dk/2015/02/dexter-sgt-at-arms.html
The post is in Danish, so you probably won’t understand a thing, but I just wanted to say THANKS for this idea and some really useful instructions :)
Christine says
February 2, 2015 at 8:01 pmHey there, Bitten! You’re right….I didn’t understand a single word on your post, but I didn’t need to to see how awesome your costume turned out, and how stinkin’ cute your son is! So glad you got some inspiration from these parts, and THANK YOU SO MUCH for sharing your creation with me! Great job!
Hannah says
December 20, 2014 at 11:27 pmChristine I simply love this idea. I’m so glad I came across your website just in time. I am currently trying to make my 2year cousin the exact same vest for Christmas. I saw where you used the photoshop, I have a few questions on how you make the text curve, and how you downloaded the font that you used. Maybe im just doing something wrong, your help would be greatly appreciated.
thank you,
Hannah.
Christine says
December 21, 2014 at 12:06 amHey Hannah! I just sent you an email….hopefully I answered your questions so you can knock out this Christmas present! Let me know if I can be of further assistance! :)
sarah says
August 26, 2015 at 12:25 pmHi can you please email the temple for SOA so I can make the vest? Thanks!
sarah says
August 26, 2015 at 12:29 pmSorry the template for the patches.
Ava says
December 7, 2014 at 2:17 pmHi Christine,
This is awesome! We are HUGE SOA fans as well. We do a themed Christmas card every year and have chosen a SOA theme. By any chance do you have the template you made for the patches? And if you do, would you share it with me? I would change the words to meet my families description. Thank you in advance.
Ava
Christine says
December 8, 2014 at 12:42 pmWow Ava, I never ever thought of doing a SOA-themed Christmas card, but that is an EXCELLENT idea (and so original!). I don’t really have a template, but I can send you the file that I have to see if it will help you with your creation. Look for it in your inbox soon! And thanks so much for stopping by!
lorna says
December 3, 2014 at 1:25 amJust happened scross this.Love it!
Christine says
December 8, 2014 at 12:44 pmThanks for the sweet words, Lorna!
Brittany says
October 30, 2014 at 8:49 amSo happy i came across your site! Im making my son a jax teller costume as well but couldn’t figure out how to put the patches on! Thank you so much! You’re a life saver!
Christine says
November 1, 2014 at 8:55 pmHey Brittany! So glad to hear you found this helpful….and that you’re a fellow SOA fan! Wahoo for having mini Jax Tellers! :) Thanks for stopping by!