I Need The Scroll Work Experts! Help!
Decorating By step0nmi Updated 28 Sep 2007 , 11:46pm by vdrsolo
I have looked through so many photos at all the amazing scrollwork featured here on CC and I am just amazed! 
Everyone is soo talented! I have a few questions!
Is there something I can use if I cannot freehand scrollwork without drawing them on with toothpicks?
What do you use for consistency of icing or frosting?
Is there a rhyme or reason to follow when doing this?
What is the fastest and easiest method to getting them nice looking and even? Even is my biggest concern??
How do all you talented people do it!? I have done cornelli lace but, I want to do scroll work on my next cake! Help!?
Thanks in advance!
Stephanie 
impression mats! love them!!
http://stores.ebay.com/Sweet-Expressions-Silicone-Molds_Impression-Mats_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ19QQftidZ2QQtZkm
The above link is Karen Scott's ebay store site, she's got tons of them! Great lady! On designs that are in the middle of the sheet, you cut them to what your typical cake height is.
My illusion of your greatness has been shattered!! 
I don't use impression mats. Now, if you think my freehand scrollwork is crap, please stop reading now. 
Here's how I get my scrolls even around the cake.
Divide the cake into sections, using a dividing wheel or ruler. I make a little mark at the base of the cake that will later be covered with the border.
Start with an "S" type scroll. Do the "S" at each marking around the cake.
At the first "S", add a curl somewhere... say, off to the left and curled under. Now, go around and add the same curl to all your "S"'s. (wow, that was a lot of apostrophes!)
Keep adding to the first "S" and continuing around the cake until it's filled in to your satisfaction.
Here's a couple of examples:
I am so glad you asked this question, I have been wondering about it my self.
Diane, the examples of your free hand are great, but alittle confusing, 
any chance we could see a step by step "s" pattern building up? Thank you so much. looking forward to trying it!
OK, I never knew some used impression mats either, I thought you all were just really good draw-ers (Making up my own words here)! lol! ***hanging my head in shame***
Diane - yours are great...what a good tip, to make marks. I have never tried scroll work, I think I will try your tip on my next cake. 
Thanks for asking this question! I had no idea these impression mats were out there! 
I use the Wilton Pattern Presses. All of the scrollwork that I have done on my cakes have been from these press sets. I cannot do a freehand scroll to save my life.....but, the Wilton presses are amazing because you can do so many different things with them. You can look at my photos and see how I have used one specific press on different wedding cakes to create a totally different look for each one.
I do use the Wilton pattern presses quite a bit, both the turquoise set and purple set, but what is nice about the impression mats is keeping the design the exact same all over, if you notice on the mats, you can match up the design on the left and right to repeat it. So much faster to just press the mat on and not have to do any measuring or marking or anything, just pipe over it.
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