I have been trying to teach myself cake decorating and have been practicing for about 5 months now.
Of course I need lots and lots of practice, but I understand how to bake, torte, fill, ice, smooth, etc. I can make some basic borders and get the gist of how to make the buttercream rose.
I bought one of the Wilton books and have been trying to make some of the other borders and the bc flowers (other than rose) and have not been having much luck. I'm thinking about taking a Wilton class at AC Moore and I'm not sure what type of things they cover in Wilton 1, Wilton II and Wilton III.
1) Do I need to start with Wilton I or is that just going to teach me about how to make icing and get it on the cake? If I go directly to Wilton II, will I miss anything important from I?
2) For those of you who had basic cake-decorating knowledge and took Wilton classes, were they worthwhile?
From what I've been told, Wilton requires that you begin at Class I, even if you have previous experience. I've only completed Course I so far but at the end, we were given a certificate of completion and were told to hang on to it because we would have to present it to sign up for Course II. You do learn more than just how to ice, etc. in Course I. The only "new" technique I learned was how to make roses but the pointers were helpful and just the general baking and technique tips that my instructor gave us made the class more than worthwhile for me.
Even though you think you don't need the basic decorating class, it certainly couldn't hurt you to take course 1. I retook it as a refresher class and rather enjoyed it. You'd be suprised as to how much you can't learn from a book. You sit and share ideas with your classmates and may get some really cool tips.
IMO, taking the courses is order is the only way to go.
You learn so much more from the instructor than what's printed in the Course books. AND, course 1 is where you first learn how to do the rose.
Course 2 expands on what you've learned in Course 1 and introduces you to Royal Icing and Color Flow.
Course 3 then leads you to Fondant and stacking cakes.
Take all 3 - it's worth it!!
When I signed up I didn't really want to take course 1 because I've been cooking (as a job) for over 30 years and had taught myself alot. Let me say I'm so glad I did. You can't take course 2 without course 1. And the tricks and tips you learn will save you time and heartache in the long run. Not to mention the comradery of the people in your class.
My 14 year old daughter and I are both taking classes. We just finished course 2 and are having a blast!
I'm so glad you asked this question because I was just wondering the same thing. I asked at the store and was told that it varied by instructor. The one teaching class 2 would allow me to do it without taking one if I didn't want to. I too wondered if it would be worth taking class 1. I decided to start with one anyway and am glad that I did for some of the reasons listed. I've figureed out how to do certain things, but its great finding out there is an easier way 
HTH 
I'm so glad you asked this question because I was just wondering the same thing. I asked at the store and was told that it varied by instructor. The one teaching class 2 would allow me to do it without taking one if I didn't want to. I too wondered if it would be worth taking class 1. I decided to start with one anyway and am glad that I did for some of the reasons listed. I've figureed out how to do certain things, but its great finding out there is an easier way
HTH
Thanks so much for the replies!
I'm glad to hear course 1 is more than just icing a cake! I certainly don't know all that much about decorating cakes (but what I do know, I learned here )and I'm sure the tips and tricks will make it all worthwhile.
Thanks for your help, I'm going to sign up in September.
I just got an email today from Wilton that the Michael's classes in July are offering the kit for a penny when you take the class!
I agree with the others - definitely take course I first, you'll learn all kinds of neat tips and tricks, and it's fun!
Laura.
Okay, I have another question about this.
Can I take Course I at Michaels and then take Course II and III at AC Moore? Or do you have to take all 3 at one place?
AC Moore is much closer to my house and I find their supplies to be cheaper, but Michaels is offering Course I in August for 12.50 at a time that is convenient for me.
Just wondering.
Projectqueen - your cakes are beautiful! You've done an amazing job teaching yourself!!
Awwww, thanks! 
I've learned just about everything from this website!
I would say most of this depends on your teacher. I took course 2 but not course one. my SIL took both 1&2 and I joined in on part 2. I had no trouble with course 2. and from my understanding...the course one here was basically how to ice a cake, but it sounds like others have had a better experience....you might see if you can find someone in your area who has taken course one and make sure it will actually benefit you.
good luck
Wilton does not require it but most instructors will suggest it. I always suggest it, and have never had a student that didn't say they didn't learn something they had already know. If you are good at decorating it may just be a bit of a refresher, but at the prices of the classes you really aren't spending alot of money on it. And if you have been doing it for a while you probably already have most of the supplies needed.
Please note that C1 is more than just how to make icing and how to ice a cake. You learn outlining, writing, stars, shells, zigzags, drop flowers - star and swirl, clowns, figure piped faces, roses, sweet peas and leaves.
And no you do not have to take all the classes at the same store. I took my first two at one store, and when that instructor left I went to another store because I had already meet that instructor and liked her.
I had already worked as a decorator for 2 years before I had the chance to take any wilton classes. But I was soo glad I started with Course 1. I knew most of what was tought but I picked up some GREAT tips. And I learned different methods of making things than what I had learned before. (So now I know how to make roses 6 different ways! between former co-workers, class, and my own technique)
If you feel like it would be a lot of repeat for you I would suggets skipping it, but I was really glad I took it. Plus I got to meet a lot of very nice people with the same passion, as not all of them followed through to course 3 with me.
One of the stores in my area doesn't require you take course 1 before course 2, however they do require that you have either taken course 1 OR 2 before you can sign up for 3....
Good luck you'll have a lot of fun
Leily
As TexasSugar stated, Wilton doesn't require it but it is better in the long run if you start with Course 1. I have had students that I let take Course 2 without Course 1 first because they said they knew all the "basics". Most of them, after taking course 2, went back and took course 1 before continuing onto course 3.
It will make course 2 easier for you if you do take course 1 first. And no matter what you already know you will learn something in course one. It may just be a tip that will make something you already know easier.
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