I'm thinking of taking the Wilton Cake Courses and maybe even Gum paste since I'm new to the whole cake decorating thing.
If only for the fact of knowing what a lot of CC members are talking about here. lol Plus, I'm sure I'll learn something new and interesting.
I have a few questions though, hoping some of you out there have the answers.
How much are the classes?
Should I purchase any materials before hand?
Should I take each course? Is it worth it?
Do you get any kind of certificate once you have completed?
Just any advice or recommendations would be very helpful. Thanks!
I'm a WMI so I'm a little baised on the classes. 
Do you learn better by seeing someone doing something? That is one thing that really helped me and one of the reasons why I orignally took the courses. I can read directions, but seeing something done in front of me works a lot better with somethings.
How much the classes are are going to depend on which store you take them at. At Michaels they start at $30 for the 4 weeks, but we do promtions every month.
So at Michaels it will be
40% off or $18 in Oct
40% off or $18 in Nov
50% off or $15 in Dec
50% off or $15 in Jan
Also at Michaels after you finish one course they give you a $5 off coupon (Bounce Back Coupon) to use on the next course if you sign up before your current course is over. This is $5 off in addition to the promotion.
I personally would wait to purchase the Course 1 items until the first night or afterward. Your instructor should go over what you will need. Of course if you want to use some coupons up before the class, I'm sure we can give you a list of helpful items on here. Also when you take the classes at Michaels you get 10% off your Wilton products/class supplies.
People will come to me that have been decorating and ask me if they can skip Course 1. I can't make them take it, but I always suggest that they start with Course 1. Even if you do know some things, I don't see how it hurts you to take C1. My students have always told me that they learned several things in Course 1 they didn't know or learned an easier way to do something. The people I have had skip C1 and go into C2 usually wish they did take C1 or struggle with some things that we learned in C1 and build on in C2.
In Course 1 you will learn your basics: Stars, writing, dots, figure piping, drop flowers, sweet peas, leaves, shell border and roses.
In Course 2 we introduce Royal icing and color flow. The first and last lesson focus on buttercream, where you learn the basketweave and several new broders. The other lessons focus on the flowers: apple blossoms, violet, violet leaf, victorian rose, daisy, daffadil, pansy, primrose, and mum.
Course 3 covers several things. It will go into more buttercream things. You will do the bead border, cornelli lace, sotas, ruffles, ruffled garland and string work. You will also use fondant to make a rose, a bow and to cover a cake. And then there is a lesson using royal icing again to make the Easter Lily, poinsetta, petunia and morning glory. The last lesson covers tiered cakes, not nessarily wedding cakes, but just tiered in general.
The Fondant/Gumpaste course goes more indepth into fondant than C3 does. To me the C3 lesson is rushed. In the new course you will cover a cake board and cake with fondant. You will learn the drape, handkerchief overlay, and ribbon garland. You will also learn the gumpaste daisies, carnation and fantasy flower. You also learn about cut outs and several fondant borders in the class.
Which classes you take depend on the kind of things you are interested in. I took all three of the first courses when I took the classes (the new one wasn't out then), and enjoyed each of them. They teach you different things and I think the more you learn the more you can adapt and play with other techinques. After learning about and working with royal icing I have felt more comfortable using it for other things.
And yes you do get a certificate for the courses when you take them.
I do think one of the keys to the Wilton courses is the instructors. There are alot of complaints on websites about the classes, but if you listen to them it is usually (though not always) issues with the instructors. If you have options in your area on which store you take the class at you may want to try to contact the WMI before you sign up and talk to her. I won't say that an older WMI is better than a newer one, because this isn't always true. But you can ask them about thier cake experince and see if you feel comfortable with their knowledge.
Alot of people assume that WMI are just these all knowing cake beings. We aren't. We are real people just like you, and unfortunetly don't have all the cake secrets. I always tell my students to ask me any questions they have, but I do let them know that I don't have the all the answers and if I don't I will try to find it for them.
Thank you both for your replies.
TexasSugar I appreciate the very detailed reply and tips. I only have a Michael's near me...in fact I went there tonight but forgot to get the schedule for courses.
You definitely covered all of my questions I had, and I'm 99% sure I'm going to take each course. From reading CC, I know what all the products are, but not entirely sure of what all you can use fondant, and gum paste on etc. So, I think it would be great to learn a bit more...because I really love decorating.
I just have one more question....When you pay for each course, what all is include?
Thanks again!
The previous posts have great information in them. I have taken course 1, 2, and the fondant and gum paste class so far. I have definately learned a lot and I would recommend them to anyone. BUT, with that being said, the costs of the classes goes way beyond the actual cost of the class. Obviously there is the course kit, but there are many things that aren't included that you will need to buy on top of the kit. So, be prepared for that.
The cost of the course ($30) includes just that - the course. Michael's sells kits that correspond to each class. I think Course 1 kit is about $20, Course 2 about $25, and Course 3 & 4 are about $30. If you already have a lot of decorating supplies, you may not need a kit at all. Next time you're in the store, check out the contents listed on the boxes, and ask to see a class syllabus. The teacher should list all the additional supplies you'll need. There are also supplies that you'll need beyond what's included in the kits, like ingredients for cakes and icings, and other extras (nags, couplers, parchment paper, etc.). I think the Wilton instructor at my store reccomends investing in the $100 toolbox kit if you plan on sticking with it. It has a lot of the supplies you'll need. Try asking the instructor at your store what she thinks. I hope this helps!
I've read all of the previous posts and just felt like adding in my $.02 So, here goes... I've just recently completed C1 and I'm about to begin C2 this week. I must agree with the others about the supplies. Don't purchase anything until you see what the instructor requires. Some instructors will go by the book, but some deviate and it actually ends up saving you some money on supplies. I didn't really feel that I needed to take the first course for anything but the roses and as it turns out, I've learned a whole lot more. I feel that I got my money's worth because I've learned all kinds of tricks and secrets and when my instructor didn't have an answer, she directed me to CC where I met all of you wonderful and knowledgable people!
So, IMO, I think you should take the courses! Once you start the 1st course, you'll be hooked and there's no turning back!!!
HTH
The classes are well worth it. Not only do you have the advantage of watching someone do each technique right in front of you, but you get to keep each course book with you to reference in the future. I am a WMI now and I still go back to my course books very often to look at pictures and read directions. You won't find cheaper education anywhere, each class breaks down to a couple of bucks. You do spend money on your supplies but you will use everything again if you do a lot of decorating. All of the classes are so different and so informative. You will be learning constantly. Have fun!
I just finished Course 1 and it was so much fun! I can't wait for Course 2 to start and I've signed up for number 3 as well! i hope that if you do sign up for classes, you have an instructor as awesome as the one I have. She has so many helpful tips and ideas. Good luck!!
Don't forget you can use the 40% and 50% off coupons out of the Sunday paper to buy your kits! That helps a bunch. If you have no tools the kits are the way to go to get the basics, they are cheaper than buying all those things individually. If you've got some stuff, go over the lists and see if you're ahead to get the missing pieces or get the whole kits and have a few duplications. Have fun and go in with a positive attitude, it will go a long way! -Lori
I also just finished Course 1 and start Course 2 this week. I have found that the same class is cheaper at Hobby Lobby. I paid $12.50 for each class so far.
Keep your eye out for coupons. I paid half price for my Course 2 kit. Hobby Lobby offers coupons online too.
Our teacher gave us the course book free. I'm not sure all teachers offer that.
Good Luck and have fun!
I have found that the same class is cheaper at Hobby Lobby. I paid $12.50 for each class so far.
Michaels prices went up at the beginning of the year to be more in line with the other classes that were taught. But we do have monthly promotions so you never have to pay full price.
I do believe HobbyLobby prices are going up this fall as well.
Our teacher gave us the course book free. I'm not sure all teachers offer that.
You get the course book with the course at Michaels and HobbyLobby. I believe at JoAnn's you have to purchase it seperately.
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