I am doing a baby shower cake and want my top tier to have that quilted look. I am covering in butter cream and am wondering if this can be done and how. I was thinking about just using a ruler and pressing in the icing but don't want to screw it up. Any suggestions???

they make a pattern press that you can push onto the sides of the cake - it is a diamond impression mat - search for it online.

If you don't have an impression mat, you can most definately use a ruler. I take a ruler and cover the edge in a paper towel, (viva or jobsquad), just scotch tape it to the ruler, and it will give you a much cleaner and softer line. You need to make sure the towel is on there real smooth, because any wrinkles will show on the cake. If the ruler is not covered, it tends to cut in to the icing a lot more. Just make sure your icing is fairly dry to the touch, not sticky. I actually use one of those triangle shaped rulers. I think its easier to handle.

The first one I made, I measured it out with a ruler, tried to make every square exactly the same. Took for ever, now I just wing it and it looks just as good.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions! I did the cake this weekend and I ended up using a large paint scraper covered with a paper towel. It worked out great. It wasn't perfect but it will be next time. Thanks again!

Impression mats are the easiest way I know.

Jen