The thing I remember the most from that class was learning how to get my buttercream smooth. That was worth every dime for me! That was also before I found CC. 
You will also learn some different border techniques: shells, stars, etc.; how to use piping gel to transfer an image, and then how to fill it in with a star tip. We also learned how to do a rose, and used tips to make other little flowers and leaves. That's all I can remember.
My biggest memory (I have to share) was of course getting home and being all proud of my work and having my two year old pull the cake box off the counter and splat, down went both my cakes I had worked ALL day on (we did Wilton in a weekend so it was all day on Saturday).
Enjoy your class!
I just took my first Course I class last night and it was uneventful - I was sort of disappointed but that doesn't mean your class will be. My teacher was kind of vage about everything. She gave us the course book, told us about buttercream, showed us how to make parchment cones and how to fit them with a coupler b/c that's what she likes to work with so we all had to use them last night. Personally I don't like the parchment cones, I only use them to to little details if I need a small amount of buttercream of a certain color. Then we just practiced making stars and writing. - lost my interest REALLY fast. I wish I could just skip this class but they said I had to take at least Course I to get to do the other Courses so I guess I'm stuck. But it's VERY basic. She tried showing how to make a rose but by the time she got around to it we had worked with the buttercream so long that it was warm and it just melted when she tried to make the rose. If you have no experience it will be helpful since it seemed like those in class who have no experience enjoyed working with the icing and the different tips. But that was about it for our first class - hopefully next week will be better. Let us know how it goes!!
I agree with Bturpin... If you have decorated any cakes before, its a bit boring, but you need it to take the other levels/classes. My instructor is funny and so cute though, so it's ok. I also have met a couple of very nice ladies in it, so that's fun too. It's a nice way for me to get out of the house without my DH and 3 year old daughter and do something that only I enjoy!
Good luck and let us know how it goes.
Jen
I've been decorating for a while. I wanted to skip this course and go to II but they wouldn't let me. I had a feeling it might be a bit boring. But as you said, Jenteach, it is a wonderful way to get out of the house and get a break from my DH and 2 children (5 and 13months). I hope I meet some nice mommies who share my passion 
. Thanks guys-I'll let you know how it goes.
As an intructor- let me give you a run down:
Your iunstructor will demo the first evening, weeks 2-4 are hands on for you. You will learn to correctly torte a cake (fancy way to say make layers). You will also learn how to make the Wilton buttercream icing, how to prepare your decorator bags and get familiarized with the tools you'll be using. You should also be visiting your Wilton aisle in the store with the instructor to get acclimated to all the various Wilton products.
Good luck and Have fun!!
I am in Course 1 now and having my 3rd Class tonight. I have been cake decorating for years, but I'm learning a few tips here and there. I plan on going 1 through 3 then the gum paste/fondant.
They didnt really teach me how to get the butter cream smooth...CC did!
Have fun!
I'm also a wilton instructor and we have a great time in class!! I show my students how to ice a cake smooth (Lots of tips!) I show them how to fill a cake so that the filling doesnt ooze out the sides, then we eat the cake while I explain all about the wilton products, some must have's and some stay-away-from's. I have been decorating and had my own business for 14 years so I offer lots of tips and tricks, I also discuss how to charge for cakes. The students bring a cake each week to decorate in class and learn the wilton rose, how to write on a cake, a swirl flower and other things. We do the entire rose the second night so that the students can practice all month. We have a great time, I also have everyone bring in their favorite recipes and share with the class if they want. Some bring a sample of their home made fudge etc.... I share recipes as well. I have a cake mix cornbread with honey butter that is out of this world, so I try to bring that to one of the 4 weeks to share. Something different to keep everyone having fun!!!! I teach in VA Beach. I feel that only the basics are taught and we instructors just open up the doors for the students to go as far as they want to take the cake decorating. Cake Central is a wonderful tool as well. I have only been a member for a few weeks and have already learned a wealth of info! I have now been giving all my students this web site and they are all on and checking out info to further their cake knowledge! Have fun!!!! Ginger
I agree with Ginger- and give all my students this info too. I also teach the rose early so that the students have extra time to learn it. How I advance my classes always depends on my students.
Sounds like much more info. and fun! SURE you can join my class!!! We have tons of fun!! We also head out for drinks and dinner after course 3 graduation!!! Don't forget to sign up for the new Wilton Fondant and Gum paste 4 week course, Michaels is launghing it this month but starting in March any business can teach it. Again, this course just touches on the basics, stick with CC for the more involved projects!
Have Fun, see ya in class!!!
I wanna join Ginger's class, too! 
My instructor was very limited in what she taught us. I've learned more on CC than in all three of the Wilton classes. My son lives near VA Beach. I'm thinking, hmmmmmm.....sounds like fun!
When I teach the wilton classes I "try" to follow the rules, but sometimes making parchment triangle bags is SO BORING, I would rather show the students something they will definitely use in their cake career (like a new filling for their cakes or a ribbon rose if they just can't master the wilton rose). I sometimes assume that EVERY student is in class to become a professional so I tend to take it to the extreme sometimes and teach way out of the box!! ha ha I have taught to over 300 students and so far no complaints!! tee hee hee But no matter who the instructor, have a fun time and always always take the classes with a fun friend. I have made SO MANY friends in cake class. One of our classes we formed a bunko group (outside of class) and we meet every month!!! Enjoy! 
Count me in for Ginger's class too!! My instructor is 78yrs old (I know this b/c she made me guess when I was sitting there waiting for everyone else to join the class!!!) She has a very thick accent and much time was spent trying to understand what she was saying and translating it to everyone in class. I kind of took over a few times with my friend who is in class with me b/c I wanted her to get more from what we were doing, then a few of the other classmates started asking ME questions!! LOL I'm trying to just sit back and learn but it's hard not to speak up if you know little tips and tricks. I think some people in the class felt like I was stepping on toes b/c I was speaking up so I just was quiet for the rest of the class (expect helping my friend sitting next to me) I wanted to offer the tip of putting your "tips" in a bowl of soapy water and then into the microwave to clean them at the end of class but I didn't. I saw I was getting some looks so I didn't offer. I was just trying to help. I am in no way a pushy person and I'm not normally one to speak up b/c I don't like being the center of attention but when it comes to cakes I was excited and wanted to share all that I've learned here. Guess I'll keep my comments to myself and my friend for the remainder of the classes. I know the teacher has to teach the Wilton way but she said she was going to show us a few of her tips next time too. But from now on I think I will just keep my tricks up my sleeve! LOL
I want Ginger to teach me- I want to have FUN too!!
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