AHelp. Ha! I am trying to make a piped royal icing church using jkeeler's pattern. Can anyone give me tips on how to make the crisscross pattern in the church smooth together seemlessly? Currently my first attempt is very lumpy. Thanks a million!

I've never seen this pattern or anything but a couple things come to mind

loosen the royal icing a bit with water

pipe it on something that you can tap on the table top to help the royal icing settle in  like how you tap chocolate to pop air bubbles

sounds like an awesome project

of course when you turn the dried royal piece over it will be smoothy smooth

would  love to see pictures of pattern or finished project

cream of tartar and/or gum arabic will strengthen royal icing you probably already know

AK8memphis you are so sweet to respond to so many posts. I will attach te link to to the pattern. When you see it I think you will understand my question better. I am not a great piper. All my skills are in the learning process. And the "x's" inside the squares are giving me fits because it's so small. http://cakecentral.com/g/i/1185890/page-two-of-icing-church-pattern/u/615904/flat/1/

do you ever use parchment piping bags?

that's all you need and cut the tip off real small--some call them coronets

or

if you can use 0 or a 00--those super itty bitty tubes

strain your royal icing though a brand new stocking toe then use one of those teeny weeny tubes

but def loosen the royal abit

also pipe one way--let it set up then pipe the other way

for a cross like in the window, pipe one way then start in the middle of that and pipe out both ways to pipe the other section

use a wet brush and a hat pin to correct bulges--the pointy hat pin acts like a knife to slice off the bulges

would be tedious but would work

thank you

Oh, that's the patter from an OLD magazine that I had for years :)

One hint:  cover your patter with *plastic wrap* instead of wax paper!  It will release much easier w/far less chance of breakage.

K8's suggestion to thin down the royal some is good but don't get it too loose.  Use just a tiny drop at a time to thin it, then try using it before adding any more water.

You might try thinning the ri with corn syrup rather than water.  This will give the ri more elasticity and makes it easier to pipe.  The drying time is slightly longer but not by too much.