Anyone have any tricks or tips that they found worked for them? Having trouble getting it down!

I think the main thing for me is to make sure the icing is stiff enough. If not, they just melt into themselves.

I think what troubles me the most is how to hold the bag and how to angle the tip.

I bought the wilton Class 1 book about 7 years ago, before I really got into decorating. It has directions in there from which I made my first ones this past weekend. I found it helpful. Maybe try their website to see if they have step-by-step instructions.

That base is crutial. Try making them on hershey kisses if that is problem. Sometimes my roses would droop because my base would not stay up. Do a search for roses on a stick. I have read about it here on Cake Central. I have not tried it but you might like it.

I have found it useful to use sugary gum drops as bases, the kind that are shaped like a sewing thimble and come in different colors. I stick them on a toothpick then makes my roses. It is pretty easy to pull them off with a pair of scissors. I use rolos for my chocolate roses!

Here is a step by step tutorial on CC give it a try.
http://cakecentral.com/article25-Getting-Started-with-Buttercream-Roses.html

i too found the base to be crucial! if you are using the wilton nail, make sure your base covers the area between the writing on the top and bottom of the nail. use heavy pressure to make your rose base

My bases always tip over, too. I seem to have a problem getting my icing stiff enough....or too stiff. I can't quite hit that perfect texture. If it's too stiff, my hand shakes so much, the petals look horrible. If it's too soft, my base collapses and everything just mooshes together.

I had some success lately using the stick method. I'm going to try the gumdrop method next. Thanks for that tip!

I have the same problems with my roses...will give the kisses a try.

I taught someone how to do roses, and I found that just "telling" her what to do didn't work well at all. I found that when I actually put my hand over her hand and guided her through making a rose, she was able to feel the exact kind of pressure and angles needed. After that she was able to make a darn good rose after only 5 tries! Maybe you can find someone who knows how to make them and is willing to do this too.