Hi all...have a question..or maybe two...lol I just contacted my local craft store about their Wilton Classes. The next one starts on 10/11/05. The fee is $25.00 and she told me that you have to purchase the Course 1 kit for course 1 on so on. For those of you who have taken the courses...other then the fee and the kits, what else should I expect to have to get? TIA
Beth
One thing I remember are decorating bags, either plastic or parchment paper, etc., whichever you prefer.
From my experience, it depends on the instructor. My Course I instructor had a mile-long list of extra's and it ended up costing quite a bit, even with Michael's 10% discount for cake class supplies. On the other hand, our local cake shop instructor uses only what's in the kit. The one thing I would highly recommend you get is the $10 decorating turntable; it makes life so much easier.
Have fun with the class and definitely take the time to practice at home -- it really helps! 
Hi Beth ,Well there are a couple of things you need to get .
You need to take in your cakes to practice on and you need to buy or make your icing .
you will need to buy your bags for your icing and the colors you will use .
the boards to place your cak on.
I went ahead and bought more of the couplers
And if you want you could buy more of the spatulas.
And maybe different size pans ??
Hope this helps 
Besides all the cakes and class buttercream you make in Course 1, (3) the only thing would be like what sweetbaker said, bags. I didn't even purchase the Course 1 kit because I had already been trying to teach myself and had everything.
Hope you enjoy your classes.
It does cost some extra money to purchase supplies but remember - you'll always use them and eventually if you sell cakes - you'll make the money back hopefully. I teach Wilton classes and I suggest to the students - only buy what you feel you can afford. The "suggested" items (other than the bags) will definately help you and make your decorating experience easier but they are not essential to the class. Course 1 is the toughest with having to buy so many things but if you continue with course 2 and 3 - you won't need to buy anything for those classes other than products needed to make the icings and cakes from your grocer. Hope this helps. Good luck in the class and remember - practice, practice, practice. You'll have fun. 
We all have the same "teachers plan" which is supposed to be followed as to what technique is taught for each class but each instructors personal way of teaching could be different. I myself feel that my students pretty much have the cake making and icing thing down by the end of course 1 (1 cake a week is alot to ask in itself). I prefer to have the students focus all their attention on practicing the flowers and piping techniques at home rather than baking again. It's just too much. But to each his own I say.
I totally agree with you !! I had a hard time getting every thing together I felt rushed and had a hard time with my flowers 
.
I'm one that needs to see you make the flower to get how to make it .
And we were supposed to ko them at home and bring them in ready.
That was hard 
Soo I asked her to show me how to make them !
Hello-
I think it depends on the course instructor and the store. I took my classes at Michaels. I did have to make a cake for each class in course I and I think a cake or 2 in Course II, but only 1 cake for Course III.
In additon, I made sure I utilized the 50% off coupon and purchased the $119 "tool kit" (if you will) for just $60. It included a nice amount of items that can be used for all 3 Courses, etc. In my experience, it doesn't hurt to have more than 1 tip, extra icing bags and extra couplers. But, so many different tips come in that kit, PLUS the tips/ materials that come in your Course kits.
Bunchy
I just finished course I and am in course II now...most of your purchases will be for course I...after that, you won't buy as much...I also agree that buying the tool kit with a coupon may be better savings in the long run, although I didn't do that because I wasn't sure how good/bad I would be...I am having fun with it so I think I will make the purchase with the next available coupon...having extra tips is great when you're working wiht several different colors.
you will also have to purchase icing color(s), flavor, bowls with covers to transport your icing(multiple if diff. colors) to/from class (if you don't already have it)...
Mvigil,
That's too bad cause if you get too frustrated during the classes it could turn you completely off from cake decorating. The lesson books that the teachers hand to the students for course 2 and 3 don't even ask for cakes to be made till the last class in the "What's needed for next weeks class" section. I feel for you but I see that your hear on CC so you must be doing fine. Good for you.
BJ I am HAPPY ANd I love cake decorating
I would go to class and ask her if she has herd of BCT or other things I have learned from this GREAT web site and soo she learned from me too!
I told her you need to check out CAKE CENTRAL !! TWO THUMPS WAY UP !!
I took Courses II & III last winter and we made 2 cakes in III: the fondant package and the tiered final cake.
I purchased the kits with my 40% off Michael's coupon. Last winter they also had stickers on the packages that gave you the classes for free if you purchased the kit, so I was able to take both classes for about $15.00 each! As a comparison, my Wilton instructor also teaches a basic cake decorating class at Sur La Table. The single day class is 6-8 hours and the cost is $65. It includes a very small beginners decorating kit from Ateco. I got the same info, more supplies, more experiences, and more hours for $15 at Michael's.
I already had quite a few supplies when I went back for II & III, as I'd been decorating since my Course I in 1997, so I just took my 40% coupon with me to class and bought incidentals.
I think the classes are worth every dime--even at full price--and I find the most necessary extras are bags, couplers, and common tips like rounds,stars, & leaves. If you take all 3 courses with the prescribed kits, you'll have a pretty nice collection of useful items and a great foundation for cake decorating.
Enjoy!
I think I went all out. Along with the course kit, I also brought the filled caddy (the 49.99 one) and used the coupon and only paid like $30 for it. I brought extra couplers, bags, parchment, I also brought the other turntable (not the little one that's close to the table), extra spatulas. I wanted to prepared for all three courses. 
That is correct Blakescakes. It was 2 cakes in Course III. You are also correct, here in Michigan, we have various incentives for each of our courses, which helped to save money. I think for Course I, it was buy a class get a kit for a penny. Course II was 50% off of our kit. Course III was buy a class get a class free and I used the the 40% off coupon for my kit. (I was hoping the 50% coupon was out at the time, but no such luck).
Anyway, I've had to pay very minimal money because of the $119 kit I brought using that 50% off coupon ($60). It came with couplers, spatulas, disposable bags, fondant smoother, 8 icing colors, 1 brush, I think 20+ tips, practice board and the list goes on and on. I felt that one was a better investment (atleast for me).
Beth,
Which store is it? Michaels has a promotion every month. For Oct the class is actually free with the purchase of the Course 1 Kit, 50 piece or 101 piece tool box. (You can use a coupon on the kit.)
As far as extra supplies that don't come in the kit... Merginue powder, decorating bags, icing colors, clown heads, flower lifters and a few extra tips, such as 1, 16, 104.
If you have been decorating then you probably have many of those things.
The instructor will also suggest other products, such as turn tables, bake even strips, cake levers, and other things. These products usually help people when it comes to cake decorating, but certainly aren't a must.
As stated, if you will have to bring a cake for Lessons 2, 3 and 4. I usually tell my students to do a size that they can eat or give away to someone. I've had students that will bake two 8in layers, use one for lesson 2, and freeze the other for lesson 3. I've also had two students that would remove the decorations off their cake every week and freeze it for the next week.
Hey --
Thanks for the responses on this thread!
I had a question -- i just signed up to take Course III next week. I took Courses I and II back in 2003! (A lot has happened in the last two years).
That said, I want to spend some of the next week practicing my rusty techniques, etc and I realized -- I have NO idea what to bring with me on the first night of Course III!!
Since I wont get the book till the first night, what should i bring with me? My whole kit? (I have everything - the flower formers, the practice board , and all that stuff in my box along with all the tips, couplers, bags, etc).
Any suggestions would be appreciated! Thanks!
I can only speak for the classes I took at Michael's, but when I signed up I was given a list of items to bring to the first class. I also think that the instructor called the day before and reminded me of what to bring.
My Course III book shows lesson 1 to be stringwork, borders , brush embroidery, & the base for the fondant rose. The primary tools are Class Butter cream--all 3 consistencies, practice board/sheets, tips 2,3,1,5, 16,18,104,127,couplers, bags, parchment triangles. Other possibles are piping gel, paintbrush, and if you do the fondant bases, the list gets a bit longer: fondant, gum tex, color, small blossom cutter, shortening, cornstarch, toothpicks, baggie, foam cups, ruler.
Enjoy!
Here's the list of supplies that you will need:
What to Bring to Lesson 1:
· Class Registration Receipt · Note Pad
· Pen or Pencil · Transparent Tape
· Scissors · Damp Cloth or Sponge
· Toothpicks · Practice Board Set
· Wax Paper · Decorator Brushes
· Pink or Rose Icing Color (for your final cake choose the color you would like to use) · Parchment Triangles
· 2 Couplers · 2 Featherweight Decorating Bags
· Small Spatula (straight or angled) · Tips 3, 16, 104 (from Wilton Course I Kit)
· 1 24-oz box of Rolled Fondant · 3 small plastic food storage bags
· white vegetable shortening · measuring spoons
· Course III Student Kit · (Includes tips 68, 86, 127, 352, 1-5/8 Lily Nail, Rose Bouquet Cutters, Ball & Veiner Modeling Tool, Thin Foam, Thick Foam, Gum Tex Pouch, Decorating Brush, White Cake Sparkles, Yellow Stamens, Cake Dividing Wheel)
Icing to bring for Lesson 1: 4 airtight containers, holding 1 recipe of Class Buttercream icing as listed - ½ cup THIN consistency icing, 1 ½ cups MEDIUM consistency icing, ½ cup MEDIUM consistency icing with ¼ tsp. Piping Gel added, ½ cup STIFF consistency icing
Class Buttercream Icing-1 lb. Sifted confectioners sugar (approx. 4 cups), 1 tablespoon Wilton Meringue Powder, 1 cup solid vegetable shortening, 2 tablespoons water, 1 teaspoon Wilton Clear Vanilla, Optional 1 teaspoon Wilton Butter Extract, pinch of salt, Combine sugar and meringue powder in large bowl, set aside. Cream shortening, flavorings, and water. Gradually add dry sifted ingredients to creamed mixture. Mix thoroughly on medium speed. Blend an additional minute until creamy. (Yield: 3 cups)
Have fun in your class!
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