Hi there!! I just finished a practice cake for an upcoming wedding cake order. The bride wants scroll work and I tought it would be a piece of cake (LOL) the thing is that is not that easy, I used BC, but I'm planning ti use royal icing for the cake, the problem is that I just didn't get the results that I was expecting. You know, scrolls like you see in many books or even here, I'm just soooo uspet!! Please if someone can give me some advice and tips!

it looks wonderful to me!

i've heard people say that if you hold the tip a ways away from the cake and let the icing fall into place it will produce a smoother line.

Hi!

I am not too sure how to help over the internet. I usally watch my students and help them when I see an area that I can help. Here are a few points. Once you start, commit to doing it, don't hesitate. You need a steady flow. Don't overfill your bag, this creates stress on the hands and results in uneven piping. Keep a steady pace. You can't to too slow or it never looks right. All I can say, it keep trying.

Can I ask a question, why are you using royal on the wedding cake? I always to all of my piping in buttercream. Personally, I hate to work with royal.

Good luck
Dawn

prop it up high enough so you are at eye level its much easier that way and don't touch the cake, it helps to put alittle gel in with your royal icing 1/2 tsp to 1/2 cup icing.

From a distance it looks great! You look like you just need more confidence.

Try taking a pen or pencil and practice making a scroll quickly and "flowing" until you can make the shape without hesitating. Then switch to a piping bag and practice more on wax paper. Maybe when you get used to doing the shape, you will be able to go quicker and let the icing flow, kind of like when you are writing a name or something.

Ah, I knew I've seen this post before... I posted this response on your other post...

I make sure the cake is eye level when I do scroll work and I only use one hand. I cut a parchment triangle in half and only use a little of icing. I hold the bag of icing between my index and middle finger and use my thumb to push the icing out. I'm basically holding the bag like a cigarette. This way my wrist is free to move as much as it needs to so I can create the scrolls.. also, once you get going do not stop until your done...The faster I go, the better my scrolls look!! I have some cakes in my gallery with scrolls.

Just practice a few more times and you'll get more comfortable with it. I think your cake is beautiful!! Thumbs Up!

You can also lightly toothpick the scrolls first then go over the toothpick lining with the royal icing. I never had tried it that way, but when I toothpicked writing on a cake it actually helped alot better than freehand. Good luck!~Josie

The designer pattern press set from Wilton has a scroll pattern in it that you can press into the cake and then pipe over so you have something to follow. Here's the link:
http://www.wilton.com/store/site/product.cfm?id=3E30D891-475A-BAC0-51DF77778B7B0CDF&fid=3E32BDAD-475A-BAC0-5EF8EA589AD96C4F

I've heard also that those really expensive LOL tilting turntables are really good for scroll work......you can tilt the cake almost on it's side and allow the icing to fall down onto the cake making for a much smoother and flowing scroll.

The tilting table is great, just use your 40% coupon to help with the cost...I did!