I have just recently started baking/decorating cakes myself and I have to say its such a great art!!! There are so many mediums within cake decorating, Im so excited to find somthing that I love so much!!!

Where can I take classes or what are some good books to get to learn??

Is it worth taking the Wilton classes that are at the Wilton school in the midwest?

Im looking for more professional detailed classes than the classes at Micheals etc.

I am almost completely self-taught. The only training I've had is when I worked at Publix being trained on how to do certain things their way. CC is a great resource. There are also a lot of great tutorials on YouTube. Tonedna's are especially good. If you want to purchase videos, many CCers highly recommend Sugarshack's videos.

If you haven't taken the Wilton classes at Michaels, that might not be a bad place to start...you might learn something you don't know already, and you could find out if you learn better from a class or from books, before you invest in the more expensive classes.

You should see if there's a cake club in your area and what kind of stuff they offer.

The best way to pick out cake books is to go to the bookstore and pick up the ones that look interesting to you, then sit at a table (leave your kids at home for this trip so you can think ) and just look through them to see what appeals the most to you, and if there are enough instructions in the book for you to be able to follow them easily. I've noticed that some books are mostly for inspiration and others are step-by-step how to make the cake.

I forgot to mention, there are a LOT of Wilton instructors on Cake Central maybe some of them would know how helpful the basic wilton classes might be.

I would suggest Wilton classes to start. They are affordable and really do offer a great deal of "Hey, I didn't know that! That makes sense now!" moments vs. trying to determine how to do something only from a book. Once you get through the Wilton classes and understand and have applied the basics, then you can certainly move on to more advanced classes if you wish.

For me, learning from a book about something so hands-on doesn't work well. I liked the classes-she had examples of the different icings so we can compare stiff, med, thin; royal vs. buttercream; etc. She helped with the right angle when holding the bag, and tossed in a few tips/tricks now and then that the books don't mention.

It depends on the type of learner that you are. if you are a visual-learner who likes to see - then local Wilton classes are an inexpensive way to go. As as the previous poster mentioned, you get great tips that you cannot find in a book and you have the live interaction if something else pops in your mind. You also get to hear other students' questions - they raise things you might not even think of.

If you can read a book and do a technique then go ahead and purchase books. They are a great resource.

I took Wilton classes and I learned a lot there. After the classes I found this place which has been the best place to learn. But it was important to take those classes to learn the basis...good luck!!!

Wilton classes at Michaels of AC Moore. They are very inexpensive and can actually teach you a lot.

Thanks for all of your posts! Ill be sure to check into the wiltons classes! thank you for all of your help!