I heard that the Witon Gumpaste set (the one that has all the cutters and book) is no good, and that the cutters are awful?

Is this true? If so what do I need to get started?

My list so far is
The stuff to make it - What do I purchase?
Flower Cutters
Leaf Mold
Rolling Pin
Modeling Tools - Is the Wilton pack okay?

My goal is to make a small birthday cake with Orchids (or some kind of tropical looking flower)
Can anyone help me please? Thanks so much

I use the Wilton set and it worked alright for me .. but, I'm a real amatuer at it lol .. I'm sure there are others and I'd love to see their opinions on this too ..

Well gees...don't go sayin' that. I just bought it last week - hobby lobby had 50% off all wilton products and i went hog wild. haven't used it yet though. hopefully it wasn't a waste.

Wow Eryka..where do you live? I'm going to your Hobby Lobby! I sale like that is unheard of around here!

LOL!! They just rebuilt and were having a grand re-opening. I went twice - $90 spent the first time, $70 the second time. But it was stuff that I've been wanting and kinda needed. If I would've had the money I could've done even more damage, but I'm running out of storage space as it is.

I'm such an addict.

All of my friends and family don't even buy me normal presents anymore. They know that if it is about cakes, I'll love it. So I always get cake supplies for Christmas and birthdays!

I couldn't work at Hobby Lobby - I'd spend every paycheck in there!

I have it and it's fine!

Debbie

Although I prefer the metal cutters---I seem to get a sharper edge with those-----the Wilton set works just fine!

Just the news I wanted to hear MrsMissey and cakemaker!

I would spend every paycheck at hobby lobby if I worked there too Misdawn.

I just bought my kit on Tuesday and waiting for DH to take kids out for the day so I can play

the wilton kit is fine to start with. Its a great place to get your feet wet before spending the big bucks on other cutters.

UGGH You guys are killing me! I am dying to download a pic of the flowers I made with the Wilton flower making kit for my classIII final project. For it being my first try at a teired cake and all of the flowers I am pretty proud of it! I can't get this stupid camera to work!!!!! I will have my DH look at it here in a little while. I really want some honest feedback and I know I will get it from you all.
Regarding the Wilton flower making kit, from a beginners point of view and knowing no other way...I think it is fine. The instruction book is really clear and easy to follow. Since I was experimenting I made mums, roses, forget-me-nots, and catalillys. They all turned out really well.

This is a great starter set. The plastic cutters don't cut quite as clean as the metal cutters. However, if you wiggle the cutter back & forth, after you press down, it tends to smooth the edges of the cut piece. The flowers are mostly a matter of practice, practice, practice.

JoAnn

Thank you all so much. I'm headed to the store after work.

This is the set i have too....
I haven't tried all the stuff...but my rose and it's leaves are done with it...
cakegal

Ok, here is my question. In the book it states to use chalk to add accent color to the flowers. Never saw these things before. Is it the same as luster dust or petal dust? What should I use? please help

I am so glad I stumbled onto this forum tonight. I was just looking at the gumpaste kit TODAY, thinking "Do I need to try this?..... Better check CC before making this purchase!" Thank you for this advice. I have been wanting to try gum paste, but I really haven't had the opportunity. After reading these posts, I'm gonna give it a try!!

I saw that you wanted to make orchids out of gumpaste. First I want to wish you luck. I have never used it - I am starting my wilton course on tuesday (course 1) - I wanted too also buy the kit, but desided I would work with royal and buttercream icing to start out with.

Anyway...my reason for writing is to let you know that I have the instructions on how to make orchids out of royal icing. If you would like them I would be more than willing to share.

Just email me.

I bought the kit a while ago and I really like it....its really simple to follow the instructions and the pictures are great...hope it goes well...

Only thing is that i had the same question about the chalk..what is that?? I tried looking in the stores but all i see is the shimmer dust...

thnx!

i hope not bc i just bought it but havent tried it yet

In the "Wilton wedding cakes A Romantic Portfolio" book it says to "Grate non-toxic chalk using a strainer and dust dried petals with chalk using an artist brush." This was for a cake that had gum paste rose petals on it.

But MrsMissey's sounds like it'd be a lot easier.

Thank you Mrs Missey, I'm gonna go right now and take a look.

The cutters in the kit work ok...For a beginner I think the kit is great!! The only problem I have with it is the book...It's sooooooooo outdated. I wish Wilton would get with the times and update the pictures.

If your just starting out with gumpaste I would highly recommend Nicholas Lodge's dvd's.... I think he has one on how to make gumpaste..I hate Wilton's gumpaste.. He shows you how to make flowers step by step.. I'm a visual person so It helped to see him making the flowers.. I have a hard time learning to make flowers from a book!!

Hi everyone,

I have been looking also for the non-toxic chalk and I have found that you use "Artist Chalk", you can get brighter color that more ture colors. It does that a lot of time to grate the chalk.

As for the Wilton kit, I also have one, and I like it but just today I was looking in my book and it shows a leaf veiner, but the problem is how can I find one, my kit did not come with one?

My kit did not come with one either, and I want it.

Check at your local cake supply store or favorite online store...there is a double sided leaf veiner that is "fantabulous"! It not only vien both sides but also gives a dimensional shape to the leaf! It is put out by CK Products.

Thanks soo much for all the good info. I'm gonna use Micheal's coupon to get the set this week.