Easier/alternative Basketweave Techniques?
Decorating By ceshell Updated 8 Oct 2007 , 1:53am by ceshell
Hello, has anyone ever tried, or do you have any suggestions about, a basketweave-type design on the cake that does not use the standard basketweave tip? I'd like to recreate this diaper caddy as a cake, but I don't like the sort of "wood slat" look of the usual weave, I'd prefer it to look like the real rattan. I'd imagine I could pipe it on with a round tip using the bw technique but goodness gracious, how long that would take considering how small the tip hole would be. The cake would be about 6x9" rectangle.
I can't think of an easy way to do this in fondant, although I do like the idea of being able to make separate panels and just attach them to the cake, rather than having to struggle with piping on the sides of cake.
Any suggestions or tips of how I could do this without driving myself insane?? Also I want to put a real bavarian cream filling in the cake (the mock bavarian has ingredients the mom-to-be is allergic to) so I'm worried about it staying out of the fridge if it's going to take me a lifetime to decorate it.
Thoughts?
Thanks!
Martha Stewart has a contemporary basketweave that might work for you. It may not be exactly what you are looking for, but might inspire an option that you haven't thought of. Here is the link to the article on cake central.
http://www.cakecentral.com/article58-how-to-make-a-contemporary-basketweave-marthas-new-basketweave.html
Hope this helps!
That would be easy !!!! (Or I think it would)
I would use a round tip for that. It would take a little while, but i think in the end it would be worth it.
check out this cake (not done by me) that looks like the texture you are going for.
http://cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=318933
Isnt it pretty!
I love using a star tip, or mixing it up and using 2 different tips:
star tip:
http://www.cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=898693
basketweave tip/round tip:
http://www.cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=512703
One of these days I'm going to try one with just a round tip 
I would use a round tip for that. It would take a little while, but i think in the end it would be worth it.
check out this cake (not done by me) that looks like the texture you are going for.
http://cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=318933
Isnt it pretty!
Yes, that's an awesome cake. I didn't ever think to use the star tip. That would look great using the round tip on the verticle lines. I don't really like doing a basket weave, but people are so impressed with it.
Thanks everyone! I like the idea of doing a mold of the rattan the best. I don't have the whole silicone mold system - did I read somewhere that they have a similar make-your-own mold in the clay aisle at Michael's...? (may search the forums on that).
I really want it to be that single-strand rattan look, I'm just afraid of trying to pipe it with a round tip...how long that would take!! Plus by the way I have ZERO skills with piping. Don't you think it could take me a couple of hours?? Wouldn't my custard filling spoil by then?! 
All right, you convinced me to try piping it. I think weaving fondant ropes would take even longer although it would prob. look awesome. Grr, I really wanted an easy way out!
Actually I did see two mold-making kits at Michael's today, Activa Insta-mold and Amazing Mold Putty, both of which are food safe. If I knew I would need a "rattan" mold numerous times I'd buy one of them but I decided I'd rather spend 99 cents on a tip, since the mold kits are $6-12 each (WITH coupon)--yikes!
Thanks for all of the input!
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