I'm doing a 10-8-6 cake for a Music Festival called the Ice Cream Social (its where our Middle & High School bands play and we get to have dessert!).

Anyhow, I've never stacked a cake before and could really use some guidance. I do have either the bubble straws or dowels (would rather use the straws, but if more tell me to use the dowels, I'll do that).

I've watched the tutorials, but I'm just so nervous about it either falling or sinking into the other cakes!
Help

Just make sure to use the supports and don't forget to use a cardboard or a plate in between tiers. I like to cover my cardboard both front and back so that the grease and moisture from the cake and icing doesn't weaken the board.

Thanks! I'll be glad when its done and I'll feel a bit more confident on stacking cakes! I think I have 3 stacked cakes to do in June (for family).

peg~
I'm not a decorator professionally, and not thought to cover my boards. What do you cover them with?

I use separator plates whenever possible. They are stronger and last longer. That being said, I've lost a few over the years, because the instructions of 'please get this back to me' seem to end up being interpreted as 'this can be thrown away'. Still... it's less than $5 (especially with coupons) and you don't have to worry about the board bending or having to cover it or anything. I still use dowels, though, for supports.

good luck! Sounds like fun!

Illustrate common cake support systems:
(With complete and accurate directions.)

http://tinyurl.com/y22z72

More on SPS system:
(See leahs post.)

http://forum.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-561846.html

Illustrated level dowel cutting by indydebi:

http://forum.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-434013.html

Wilton's tiered cake help links:
(Everything from making the cakes to decorating with either b/c or fondant.)

http://www.wilton.com/wedding/makecake/index.cfm

HTH

Wow! Thanks JanH

And if you PM me with your email, I'll send you instructions with tons of pictures for SPS.

i like to use bubble tea straws ( wide and very sturdy) and fomecore under the tiers. very sturdy, easy and disposable too!

what are these bubble straws I keep reading about???????? I've never heard of them before.......

do they sell bubble straws at micheals or joannes?

I have been using Starbuck's straws! Hahahaha....they are really strong and wide!

u can find bubble straws maybe at aisian markets, maybe at party supplies and ALL over the net; just google it!

ebay has TONS of bubble tea straws. they are basically the wider straws (like McD's, only a little bigger around) not the regular drinking straws you find at the store.

heres a pic:

http://www.bubbletea.com.au/store/images/Big%20Straws1.jpg

thank you sugarshack. Seeing them got through my "thickness"

Thank you everyone! The Ice Cream Social was tonight and I got a lot of:
"Who did that cake??" Wow, Brenda, that's a nice cake!". It made me feel good
But thank you everyone for your guidance

Iv been using the new Wilton white plastic cake speator plates with out the scallops and take my Drimal tool and cut off the feet, you know where you set in the pillers? It makes a great cake board and sturdy too. I just cover with freezer paper (shiny side up). Sandy