I'm taking the Wilton fondant/gumpaste class and last night we started the carnations base. I cannot get the edge to "ruffle" for the life of me. I was the only one in the class whose carnation just sat there like a mexican hat. Help! What am I doing wrong? I've tried using gumpaste, fondant, and gumpaste and fondant mixed together - no difference. I've tried thicker fondant and thinner fondant. Ugh! I never had this problem with my roses.

what are you using to do the ruffling? I use a toothpick, and I do it on a firm surface, not a cell board or foam (i use a ceramic drink coaster). I also cut tiny slits in the edges to facilitate the ruffling.

Thanks! I'm using the always useful Wilton veiner thingy ...but I will go try a toothpick right now!

Here is a picture of what mine look like.

I have one suggestion. When you press down on the the edges, try 'pulling' the tool out and away from the flower. You can't be too delicate with it. I wish I could describe it better.

There was a lady in my class who was having the same trouble and I was glad to be able to help her. But it's easier to show than to explain!

Mine looked the same way when I took that class. I was trying to ruffle them too close to the base. Try only ruffling the very outer edge and they came out 100x better for me.

It looks like you are going too close to the center with your veining tool. Try to go no further than 1/4" from the edge, and that should work.

Same here, I only ruffle the edges of mine, not from the "stem." Maybe 4mm in from the edge is a good estimate. Good luck!!

I also don't use the small daisy cutter for the base leaves. I use the small single leaf cutter and use 4 of them to creat the leaf base... seemed so much easier and prettier.

did you use the ball tool end before you veined it. I had my class last night also making the carnation base and we use the ball tool end which made the ends curl up, then the veining tool end to ruffle it up.

We did the bases last week and added the top layers tonight. As several others have said, just start closer to the edge and pull the veiner tool off the edge firmly. We did not use the ball tool first - just ruffled with the veiner tool. They look pretty good when finished

...do you have the tool with the tiny ball on one end? Thats what I use....I roll the tiny ball right around the outside edge...curls it right up!

One thing I was told by an experienced cake decorator was to move your Mexican hat near to the edge of the board you are frilling on and your toothpick will be hanging over the edge, just the tip bit touching the sugarpaste and you can get more movement with your fingers and the toothpick. I don't know if you understand this as I am not very good with explaining, would be easier showing you. Try it with your hand completely on the board with frilling and then move your hand until just the tip of the toothpick is on the board and you will see you have move freedom with frilling.

ok, everyone is pretty spot on with their advice - I don't use the mexican hat method for my carnations but I do frill my petals with a toothpick on the edge ( 1/2 on & 1/2 off the edge of the petal ) It just takes lots of practice !!

you could also "fray" the edges with an exacto knife --- if you look at real carnations that's what they look like.

Thanks everyone for your help. I'll try not going so close to the center and see what that does.

The 'mexican hat' method is what they're teaching in the Wilton class.
But every book ya look at has a different method. I know Scott Wooley does it with a toothpick and his look outstanding. Extremely time consuming but so real looking.
Also his orchids are amazing. I gave those a shot last week....made 3, 2 broke. They looked awesome though!

Everyone was right about my going to far into the hat with my veiner. I tried them again and they ruffled!

Oh fantastic!!!