New Basic How-To Spirograph Video!
I’ve had a lot of new subscribers to my YouTube channel in the past few months. So I thought I’d make a new introductory video on using Spirograph. I took the new Deluxe Set and went through the different parts of it, how to attach the spiro-putty, how to hold the pen, how to make the wheel go round, and talked as I drew three different designs.
I’ve kept the footage in normal time, not speeding it up, so you can hear me talk and see exactly what I’m doing. I’ve been spirographing for so long that it’s hard to put myself in the shoes of someone new to Spirograph, so perhaps a video is worth 1000 words – or 1000 subscribers, the number my YouTube channel reached on the day I posted the video.
Then I made three designs. The first two patterns are similar to ones in the instruction booklet, but with different colors. The third design is one I made up on the spot. The video shows my thinking process in choosing what to do next – and when to stop.
This video is especially for people who are new to Spirograph. If you find it helpful or have questions, I’d appreciate hearing about it in the comments here or on the YouTube page.
Buy the Spirograph Deluxe Design Set here (affiliate link to Amazon)
I like that you continued with the design when the wheel slipped, and didn’t edit that bit out. I find that I have to use 6-8 small pieces of putty, if I use 4 pieces the wheel can slip under the ring in the spaces between pieces of putty.
Thanks! Yes, especially if the ring is a bit warped as these ones tend to be, it helps to use lots of putty. Thanks for mentioning it.
How do you get the inner wheel to not pop out when you arw using the holes on the outside of the wheel? I’ve tried flipping the wheel over with modest success but it’s driving me crazy. Is “will gears” better in this regard?
It’s a skill that takes practice – how much pressure to put where, to keep the teeth engaged but not push too hard, developing a feel for which directions to push in, allowing the rotating wheel to speak to your hand. I started so young that it’s intuitive, so breaking it down into motions involves a lot of awareness-building.
That said, the newer Spirograph sets sometimes have a bit of warp in the wheels which make it more difficult than the vintage sets. Wild Gears is better in that regard as the material is heavier. But the gears can still jump, especially if the table isn’t perfectly flat or if you aren’t using it. Keep trying.
Im new to Spirographing, but was wondering if the designs could be made bigger> I wanted to try to do some machine stitch outs and would need it quite a bigger, Is there a way todo this?
I really like the posting. please keep posting.
Designs are limited by the size of the wheels. But here are some ideas:
– You could draw the designs on paper then enlarge them with a photocopier.
– Or scan them and print them larger.
– You can also get iron-on transfer paper for your printer. Then you could apply the design directly to fabric.
– Wild Gears, which is a different product that I profile a lot on this website, allows for bigger designs.
– I have actually used liquid embroidery pens to draw directly on fabric using Wild Gears.
– When I was a teenager (a long time ago), I drew spirograph designs on my jean jacket and embroidered them.
If you figure something out, feel free to share it here.