Not to sound overly silly, but what exactly is that?? I'm making a topsy turvy this week and if I could take out the extra cutting (the shelf for the top tier to sit in), that would be GREAT!!! thanks in advance for your help cake friends!!

Here's instructions I like to use along with the tutorial here on CC. I just like this 'cuz it shows a diagram of the cake once it's put together.
http://members.nuvox.net/~zt.proicer/message/saved/TILTEDCAKES.htm
As for the SFSS, that has to do with the supports you use for the cake. It's not wooden dowels. There's an expensive set you can buy, but works extremely well or there's another more affordable kind you can put together. I'll see if I can find the threead on that one.

KittisKakes: just to be clear what would a judge look for in a topsy turvey cake? I would like to make a cake for the contest. Thanks for the instructions.

dizzy

Oh... So it doesn't have anything to do with the cutting of the topsy turvy cake huh? Dang it lol. Oh well.. Guess I'm going to be cutting the topsy turvy with the shelf for the next the tier. Thanks!

Dizzy: I would assume the contest is for cakes that are off-kilter, meaning the "whimsy", "topsy-turvy" or "mad hatter" style cakes. You know the kind, where it looks like 1 layer will slide off the other layer. But don't take my word on that though. Maybe put a question in the contest forum for clarification. http://www.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-forum-23.html

Alicia: Here's the thread on making your own SPS http://www.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-603925-stress.html+free+support+system . I'm not sure if I answered your question though.

These are the instructions for a whimsy cake here on CC http://www.cakecentral.com/article1-Instructions-For-Building-A-Whimsical-Tilted-Cake.html

Oh!! I've seen the sfss used, just didn't realize that's what it was called.. Duh

Thanks for the help!