This year I wrote an article for Quilting Arts on several different techniques using the Spin Art machine. While reading my email the other day, Linda Kittmer’s blog gave me the idea to try spin art with Sharpie markers.

I’ve put together for you my first video tutorial on Sharpie Spin Art. This is on fabric, but you can also do this technique on paper.
This is what you need for this technique:
- Spinart machine. These can be purchased in the toy section or online. Make sure you buy one that is battery operated.
- fabric cut in 6 x 6 inch squares or paper 5.5 x 5.5 inches
- Sharpie Large Chisel Tip Markers
- spray bottle with alcohol
- tacky repositionable glue – I used Liquid Sticky Note
- Place tacky glue in the center of the bottom of machine to hold fabric (paper) in place.
- Place fabric (paper) centered in machine and smooth it down over tacky glue.
- Turn on machine.
- Touch spinning fabric (paper) with Sharpie. Continue coloring until you are happy with your design.
- Turn off machine and check. If you want to add more color, turn it back on and add more.
- Turn off machine.
- Spritz fabric (paper) with the alcohol. The more you spray, the more the colors will bleed together.
- When dry, heat set with an iron and then it’s ready for your next project. (You don’t need to iron the paper!)
Now for the results:

As you can see, on watercolor paper the design is rough but interesting.

Colors are more vibrant on this multi-media art paper.

On fabric you really need to take it easy with the alcohol. The more alcohol you use, the more the colors bleed into each other which can be good. However, they also can become muddy.
I like using it on these different mediums. Using paper the spin art was more vibrant and crisp while the fabric was muted.
Once you make that “perfect” spin art design, then all you need to do is scan it or take a picture of it and print out over and over. Check out this post for a couple of my samples using spin art.
What fun. Glad my idea sparked another idea for you! Thanks for linking to my blog. Now I’ve got to figure out how I can play with this idea of yours.
This looks like so much fun. When my kids were in school- one of the grandpa’s make a giant spin art machine with some kind of power tool motor and they all made Spin-art Tee-shirts- they were so cool looking.
Fun and enjoy doing this kind of art…Thank you for a nice sharing…Kids will love to make this..
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Lynda,
Great job on your “first video tutorial on Sharpie Spin Art!”
Informative and fun.
BTY, “Happy Anniversary!”
Ronda H.
Lynda, this is very cool…great video!!!
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Kathy, Thanks. It was so much fun to do that tutorial. And I only practiced it once before I taped it. I can see more videos in my future. And that technique is so much easier to explain when you can watch it.
Interested in know the brand name of your spinning machine. I looked online but many seemed cheaply made whereas yours looks more sturdy.
Diane, It’s a Lite-Brite from Hasbro. I bought it online. Here is a link: http://www.amazon.com/Lite-Brite-FX-Flash-Art-Spinner/dp/B000GXZCEA
OMG! That machine is amazing!!
Leyla, Thanks! Yes, it is pretty neat and to think it’s a kids’ machine!
What a great idea- love it. I think these would look so nice used as quilt squares. Have you ever thought about that? I don’t sew so don’t quilt but I think these would look so modern and edgy as a quilt. Thanks so much for sharing.
Lis, Thanks. That’s really a great idea! I plan to work a little more in the future on this. I’ve got some ideas but haven’t had the time. Thanks for dropping by.
The alcohol that you used, was that rubbing alcohol.
Aneisa, Yes! It’s rubbing alcohol.