To All Who Have Taken Wilton Fondant/gumpaste Class

Decorating By trumpetmidget Updated 4 Mar 2007 , 6:01pm by FaithsPlace

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trumpetmidget Posted 4 Mar 2007 , 2:33am
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I am going to my first class tomorrow, which I am very excited about. I have taken all 3 wilton classes so far. But, I have heard not so good reviews about the fondant/gumpaste class. So, my question for you is - what can I do to get more out of the class? Any suggestions? Anything I should bring that is not on the list or shouldn't bring that is on the list? Thanks!

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FaithsPlace Posted 4 Mar 2007 , 3:08am
post #2 of 6

Hi there, I just finished with Wiltons fondant and gumpaste class and I liked it. They teach you really basic stuff; how to put the fondant on the cake, some cut outs, and a few flowers out of gumpaste. Ask a ton of questions, thats what I did. I feel I get more out of the class when I ask things that are not covered in the book. Also, the tools that you will get in your kit are not the best quality, ok to learn with, not the best to continue with...There is a lovely sticky post on this forum that discusses tool kits...from that post, and I agree, the veining tool in your kit is plastic and tends to tear the petals, metal ones work better for petal forming...another thing, check in Micheals clay section for a clay tool kit, I just got one and love the tools in it! They work great for cutting fondant and gumpaste shapes, etc.
Another thing I noticed, Wiltons fondant is somewhat probelmatic and expensive, make sure to save whatever leftover fondant/gumpaste you have from class in air tight containers or sandwhich baggies to keep them from getting to hard.
Oh, one more thing, lol..the plastic cutters you will get in your kit, suck! They leave peices of the fondant around the center of the flower, dont get discouraged, it is just the cutter, not you...It helps to make the fondant a bit thicker and kind of move the cutter around before lifting it from the surface.
This is a great class for anyone who wants to learn the basics of fondant....stock up on crisco,lol....it keeps that stuff smooth! I agree with the reviews that the class should offer more but, these classes are new to Wilton, or at least in my area, so I think they will get the jist of what to offer after a few more classes. Good luck!!!

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JoJo40 Posted 4 Mar 2007 , 5:48pm
post #3 of 6

I won't knock Wilton...they're a great company. I took Course 3 and expected Fondant/Gumpast to be a continuation of that. It wasn't. Almost a repeat. I learned a carnation and a fantasy flower--big deal. And I had to buy a lot of supplies--and never found a package of gumpaste at Michael's that wasn't already hard or getting hard. Had to tote two 2-layer cakes to class plus bags of supplies. I thought it was the most tiring class I have taken. I was actually glad when it was over. I had hoped for more of the flowers like in the gumpaste flower kit. Guess I'll do the kit on my own.

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ladyonzlake Posted 4 Mar 2007 , 5:54pm
post #4 of 6

Oh man this sounds discouraging! I'm signed up for a class that starts Tuesday and it's sounding like the class is too "basic" for what I was hoping for.
Jacqui

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christeena Posted 4 Mar 2007 , 6:01pm
post #5 of 6

It is very basic and frankly, I was bored for the most part. I used a cake dummy because I could reuse it for each class ( I just peeled the previous class stuff of the base cake and wiped it carefully and it was good to go)

I won't even get in to Wilton quality on their tools as that as been debated to death on this site. Personally, I wanted to do delve more deeply into flowers and I constantly had to remind myself that this was a Wilton class not Nicholas Lodge (wouldn't that be great?) So if you go into class with the knowledge that except for a carnation and a fantasy flower, everything else is pretty much review!

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FaithsPlace Posted 4 Mar 2007 , 6:01pm
post #6 of 6

Oh, dont get discouraged. The class is very basic but, if you have never worked with fondant or gumpaste it is a great class to take.

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