Should I Take The Wilton Courses?
Decorating By heddahope Updated 24 Oct 2009 , 10:01pm by auntmamie
I am having a problem with my buttercream, getting it smooth. Should I try the Wilton courses? Or should I just do more practice? I haven't done many cakes just the ones in my photos.
I don't know how to attach photos, but my last cake was the alligator one in my photos, any advice would be great.
http://sugaredproductions.com/
Here, this is a link to her site. DVD info and blog and all kinds of great stuff.
Thanks for the quick reply.
I actually just ordered it earlier this week, just waiting on it to come in.
I was reading another thread or something and they were talking about creating a vacuum to keep the air bubbles out? I think I may need to get a stand mixer, lol.
THese are the best DVD's then?
Hi Hedda,
I am a La girl too WHo DaT!
But anyway you dont really need the course to assit with the butter cream. I had a problem with it in the beginning (way back to January '09 
) andf I use a hand held mixer this is what works for me. Cream your shortening and flavor in a big bowl, in smaller bowl add all your dry ingredients blend them for about 30 seconds then slowly add them to your cream if it is too loose add more sugar, too thick a little water.
I hope this helps!
You know, the Wilton classes are so cheap, especially if you already have a lot of the materials, that you can't really lose by taking them.
Just the chance to talk in person to other people with the same interestes, share tips, getting questions answered in real time, finding out what works--and doesn't work-- for others and for yourself, weekly cakes, etc.
I take pretty much any and all opportunities to mingle with other cakers. 
I really believe that you can learn something EVERYWHERE!
Just a thought.............
Rae
I agree with Rae. I just sat in at the courses and took notes. I never tried to do anything but learned from everyone elses mistakes and victories. Even if I only picked up a few new pointers it was worth it.
Most of the courses were 50% off so they were not expensive.
i assure you.. it is not a waste of your time.. unless you think you know it all anyway... i teach it.. i have students that say . i,ve been decorating for about a year. something like that.. but i am so glad i took these courses.. they say just being in class and around others with the same interest helped them alot. they have said.. i,ve been piping borders . etc.. but i did not know the proper way.. and they were so pleased and thankful to learn more.. i,ve been decorating 14 yrs.. i even learn some things from the students.. ha! i like that.. hth if and when they come into class without icing and bags and tips.. i loan them mine.. so they can practice in class. that way they do deserve a certificate at the end of the 4 wks.. i say .. this is not a note taking class. this is a work in process.. ha!! they laugh and take my offer of my things and practice along with the rest of us .. and they thank me when it is all over ..
I took class I and loved it - really gave me the basics and I had a fabulous instructor and only 5 gals in the class so we really got personal attention. Now that I've had that class, I'm just teaching myself the rest right now, but it's the little things that I learned in 4 weeks that I hadn't figured out for myself in 2 years that really helped me.
One of the problems with the Wilton class is that you have to make your icing at home and then bring it in. If you're having trouble with making icing, there's not much your instructor can do for you except maybe help you water it down if there's a sink in the class room. Beginners like me don't really know how stiff "stiff consistency" should really be!
Thank you everyone for the advice.
I will try and take the courses but it will probably be awhile since the closest place is like 45min-1 hr away and I have the 3 babies and I'm still nursing.
I am hoping the hubby gets me a stand mixer for Christmas so I can try Sugarshacks buttercream exactly.
Thank you everyone for the advice.
I will try and take the courses but it will probably be awhile since the closest place is like 45min-1 hr away and I have the 3 babies and I'm still nursing.
I am hoping the hubby gets me a stand mixer for Christmas so I can try Sugarshacks buttercream exactly.
They are often 50% off starting in Jan - I took them Jan of 08 and had a ball - would love to take them again but like you they are 45 min to an hour away.... Good luck and I hope hubby gets you a stand mixer for Christmas too....
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