I need to make a harelquin pattern for an upcoming baby shower cake and I was wondering what people use to cut the diamonds and space them evenly. I went to my local bake shop and they didn't have any diamond shaped cutters at all and I think it would be a mess if I just cut them by hand. Do you just eyeball the placement? Thanks!

I use the Ateco nesting diamond cutters.

Thank you for your reply! Any advice on how keep the pattern straight? I just bought your fondant DVD - can't wait to watch it!!! Definitely before starting this cake My last cake was a fondant nightmare (my Threadcakes contest entry in my photos) The fondant (pettinice) tore every time I tried to pick it up to put on the cake. I don't know if it was too much color, too much kneading, too warm in the house, etc. Here's to hoping for better luck with the next one! Thanks, again!!!

I just eyeball the pattern, because the cutters make sure they are all the same size. I just butt them side to side...

In a pinch, you can also bend the wilton square cutters into diamonds

Trying to "make do" with what was available locally, I bought a harlequin stencil. Rolled out my fondant on a well dusted vinyl mat. Dusted the surface then placed the stencil on top and another piece of vinyl on top of that. Applied moderate pressure while doing so, rolled over the stencil with the rolling pin. Removed top vinyl and stencil and cut the pieces out.

I used this same technique with gumpaste for butterflies. created a sheet of butterflies and printed it out on cardstock. Cut them out and continued with the process above. The whole thing sounds complicated but it went a lot faster than I had expected.

If you've got time and funds, I'd go with the cutters as mentioned by PPs. If not, this technique certainly works.