Please could anyone enlighten me on how to get these straight horizontal lines on cakes.Especially in the middle of the cakes,like the ones Rylan did here.How can I manage to get them staright and evenly spaced out. Thanks a lot.
http://www.cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=1501075
Peggy Porschen also uses a scribbler which etches out a horizontal line to use as a guide on the cake. She doesn't say specifically where it comes from and I have never taken the time to try to find it but it looks like a really neat tool if you're going to do lots of horizontal lines.
Peggy Porschen also uses a scribbler which etches out a horizontal line to use as a guide on the cake. She doesn't say specifically where it comes from and I have never taken the time to try to find it but it looks like a really neat tool if you're going to do lots of horizontal lines.
I saw the scribbler Peggy uses at Squires website (from the UK.) However, there was a thread recently where someone took a straw and put a straight pin through it to do the same thing -- MUCH cheaper!! 
Place cake on turn table perfectly in the middle.
Place a large stack of books next to it.
Take pin and push through side of end of straw
Place straw into stacked books wherever needed. Not just in between books but in between pages for a more adjustable height. Make sure the pin touches the cake.
Give turn table a spin.
Cut a long strip of fondant and roll it into a coil.
Uncoil over pin mark in cake.
Use the side of a ruler to help you keep it straight.
Start and stop each stripe in the back or where you can cover with decoration.
Thank you everybody,it seems so daunting but I will try it sometome. Thanks again.
Sadsmile you are a genius! Thanks for sharing!
Sadsmile, forgive me but you lost me with the books. I'm at a loss as to what purpose they serve.
Oh I got it. I just place the bottom of the straw right on the cake board. Thanks for clearing that up!
OH I see so you then just cut the straw to the height you want. But if you want many heights then you will use many straws...LOL My cakes are always on a board the same size as the cake until I put it on a larger fondant covered board. And I use no slip on the turn table under that so I don't have a flat surface for the straw to slide along.
OH I see so you then just cut the straw to the height you want. But if you want many heights then you will use many straws...LOL My cakes are always on a board the same size as the cake until I put it on a larger fondant covered board. And I use no slip on the turn table under that so I don't have a flat surface for the straw to slide along.
When I put my cakes on the same size board I put a larger board underneath and place the straw on that. For example if I have an 8 inch cake on an 8 inch board I put that on top of a 10 or 12 inch board for lifting and decorating purposes and I put the straw on the bottom larger board. I find it works great for me.
Works for you. 
But then I would be making a mess of another board I wouldn't otherwise use. I use the boards over and over again. How would you make a mess of it?
Call me pig pen
You know Sewsweet, I think you were the one I got the idea from! 
I absolutely love this straw idea. I have a lazer level but it just doesn't work right for me. I admit I have a problem with anything that requires reading instructions. Pictures, I can figure that out though. Thanks so much!
I use the boards over and over again. How would you make a mess of it?
I also use butter in my icing and once that gets on something that you can't wash it's either use it now or toss it since it spoils eventually and you can't save it. I wouldn't want my cake on something that has old icing from who knows when on it.
Oh I see. I have some "dedicated" boards that I don't use for other cakes too. But if it's not too bad I sometimes double two "bad" boards and cover them with fondant and use them for dummies.
I use the boards over and over again. How would you make a mess of it?
I also use butter in my icing and once that gets on something that you can't wash it's either use it now or toss it since it spoils eventually and you can't save it. I wouldn't want my cake on something that has old icing from who knows when on it.
I do the same as bobwonderbuns, place cake on a larger work board. But, I use those plastic Tuffboards which can be washed with soap and water.
For larger cakes, I have dedicated pieces of foamboard completely covered with Contact paper. Also washable. 
I'm having a hard time visualizing how the books are used. If the straw needs to be upright how is it inserted into the book? Would love a picture of that!
I use a ruler and toothpicks. The ruler sets on the table and the tooth picks are taped on, adjusting for the height of the turn table, put the ruler close and slowly turn the cake. If it's a smaller cake you can use skewers instead of tooth picks! Works for me!! ; )
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