I saw Godiva's cake and it's GEORGEOUS!!. She says it was her project for her Wilton's last class. Are they presently including how to work with gumpaste, drapes, and how to imprint the diamond design? I completed their courses two years ago and my teacher at the time told me that if I wanted to learn those advanced techniques I should buy Colette's books (which by the way are very expensive).

Well, I'm asuming it may have been part of Course 3, where they teach you how to roll the fondant. But then again, it may have been meant to done in buttercream, but my instructor then changed it to fondant...Not quite sure now.

As far as techniques taught, they only teach you do roll the fondant. Our instructor half taught us how to make the gumpaste roses, which from you picture you can tell they need serious work!

I wasn't satisfied with just that so I improvised and experimented. I bought a video from Nicholas Lodge on bows and drapes, and bought a diamond marker at a local shop. I learned how to make the bows and drapes the day before and came out pretty well. Nicholas is an excellent instructor; the videos are very good. His web is www.nicholaslodge.com.
Once you know how to roll the fondant, you can basically do anything you set your mind to.

Our instructor wasn't really doing a good job, although he is an excellent artist. I pushed myself to do the best I could, and he didn't even comment on it; either good or bad!

your advise. Regarding your professor - maybe he was a little jealous to realize how talented his student came out to be. Keep your good work!!!!

We were taught and shown how to roll out the fondant and a really quick rolled up fondant rose which I thought was quite sloppy and franky...Ugly!! However we could add the extras if we wanted to and had the time.Some of the students in my class did some way far out designs.We were also allowed to make our own design as long as the instructor okayed it first.I thought it was a good class for the beginner.

I just read your post from 2004 Dec. I finished the 3rd class in Dec. I learned how to make fondant flowers (which is very time consuming), a few different piping designs, royal icing flowers, made a fondant present cake, 2 tier cake. They don't teach gum paste. I took the class through Michael's craft store. The instructor was going to do gum paste classes from her home but it was too expensive. After I just spent all the money on the classes I thought I'd wait awhile. I loved the classes!! When I started there were 18 people in the class... by the 2nd class there were only 3 left.. by the 3rd class there were only 2.. me & a teenager who's very good! It takes practice I guess that's why so many didn't finish the class. Go to a class! You'll love it!

tcturtleshell,
Your response really surprised me, I forgot about the post. But thank you soo much. I think I'll be looking forward to follow your advise.

Awela