There was a fairly pretty "wedding cake" photo shown on the site today when I logged in, apparently submitted by "Anonymous", but at the very bottom, someone had written a quick comment that this cake was a Wilton cake from a CURRENTLY AVAILABLE Wilton book and that it should not have appeared here.

Now, I don't have a problem with Wilton per se, but I am interested to know if anyone else (like me) has simply stopped picking up Wilton books for ideas? I don't find that the ideas in there are generally very helpful.

Of course, Wilton is pretty accessible, and for the beginner, the wild color combinations they show do help to illustrate the differences in technique (or tubes, etc.). But after 34 years of decorating, I have found that I have much better ideas than Wilton (especially if I actually take the time to talk to my clients!).

How else do others in our industry get great ideas? [/i]

I started doing serious cake decorating when my youngest son was about 2, he is now 30. I grew up watching my mom practice her cake decorating skills on an aqua blue melamine type table, spending hours writing and making borders, etc.. When I started I took mom's wilton books and spent hours trying all the techniques shown in the back, teaching myself how to make roses, drop flowers, etc.. I tried a few of the cakes in there, but mostly opted to use a few ideas from there and my own imagination. I taught myself from the books- we did not have internet and I probably was the only one in that small town who even did cake decorating. I moved to a remote area and taught cake decorating in informal settings- my springboard being the wilton instructions. Today I do pick up the occasional wilton book for ideas to show others who are looking for cake ideas but it is no longer the "end all" in cake decorating. These forums and boards by cake decoraters have taught me a wealth of Knowledge esp. the last few months as I am re acquainting myself with what is out there and "new" these days. Ty all for your part in my learning experience!

Well I am a beginner in cake decorating, I took my first Wilton class and being that I am from a different nationality I was looking to mimic the same techniques that they teach at wilton classes but the icings and they way they teach make you feel as though you are stuck. If your are in my situation I started taking classes because I have a sister in law getting married and she is on a tight budget so everyone is chipping in. I have had to do an enormous amount of research in order to find other ideas different icings and even the materials that are used in the class. They sort of expect everything to made by "Wilton". I appreciate the lessons but don't appreciate feeling as though I am getting scammed.
I thought i was the only one feeling this way!

I use the Wilton books regularily to give me ideas.Since most of the cakes I do are strictly for kids...the ideas are very helpful but as far as more advanced decorating like wedding,SugarArt.Advanced Fondant etc...Then I try and use other sources.

I think the Wilton YBs are great for beginners and veterans alike. I rarely copy a cake exactly as it appears. Instead, I look in the YB for inspiration, themes, borders, etc. I like the simplicity. You know if it's in a Wilton YB, you can do it. I haven't found a lot of use for the pattern books though but I buy them anyway just in case I might need them someday.

Here is a guess...patterns and instructions for Character cakes do not fall into same category? reason is I rented spiderman cake pan and had to return it before I could use the instruction booklet. I noted on back that said either 2003 or 04...and tried to download pattern that way with no success. Any thots on patterns/instructions for character cakes?

Hmmm, try searching on the Internet. Sometimes people post patterns.

You could go on the Wilton discussion forum and ask if anyone could send the pattern to you. People are pretty good at doing that as long as it isn't the current pattern/yearbook.

Another idea is contacting Wilton through the Internet.

If any store still sells the pan, maybe they would let you photocopy the instructions on the back.

Good-luck

YES YES I get the Wilton YB everytime I see them, and I have even gotten some off of Ebay. I want to go to Illinios for the Cake college there, but since we are slotted to go to Virginia instead it will have to wait. Anyway, I found that I can duplicate the cakes in the YBs and when I do I get more satisified everytime and get more confidence when I do. To me Wilton is TOPDOG, but I also find that ideas from people here and on Wilton forums and in general on internet! When I am asked to do cakes I look and look and look for ideas, everywhere!!!! Sometimes I take and idea from here, wilton and online and put it all on one cake and I find they are my best. As for feeling like being scammed I can understand that, but when you are in the business for whatever and your company makes the items needed to accomplish something sure you should use them specifically. I know a friend that said she went to a class for WMI and the instructor did not have the wilton vanilla so she recommended Mccormick. I guess its up to the person! Man I love this site!

I like looking at Wilon books...sometimes they springboard another idea for me. I even own several different books.
For instance- the last cake that I made was for a baby shower at work. I was going to copy the "Baby Go Round" design from Wilton that uses the tall tier cake stand. After deciding and drawing on paper what I wanted to do with design...I ended up doing something completely different. But the wilton design got my mind turning.

I think the Wilton books and site are good to spark the imagination, but most of their cakes look the same after a while. There is a definite "brand" to them (for obvious reasons). I find their kids' cakes way too "cutesy" and would never try one. Most moms her in the NJ/NY metro area like a bit more sophisticated look, even for little kids.

if it weren't for the wilton yearbooks, i wouldn't have gotten started. since wilton is so popular, many beginners only know about wilton. i didn't know there were other "cake" people out there. now, i get my inspiration where ever i can!!...and if i use someone elses ideas, i certainly give credit where credit is due!

I love the wilton books & the techniques!! As for the classes, I loved them too!! If I were at a tupperware party wouldn't I be buying tupperware? If I were in a book club wouldn't I be buying the book clubs books?? When I go to Wilton classes I expect Wilton products. Just like the paint classes (in craft stores) have their own name brand that they recommend etc.. I love cake books! I could sit for hours just looking through them! They help me out big time! I love magazines too! Any w/ cakes on them!!

Took the words right out of my mouth TC!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As cake decorating isn´t that popular or even known in Germany, the Wilton YB were like Christmas in summer to me. Meanwhile I found some good magazines from the US & Uk which I subscribe on a regular base, but Wilton is stil something special in the year. As I work most of the time with fondant I use it as a resorce for ideas. But since I found Cakecentral I find myself looking for ideas first on this side and if I couldn´t find what I´m looking for, then turn back to Wilton and the other books.

I think they are a great place for ideas and techniques. I found a couple older yearbooks at a locat "junk" store and had to buy them. When I make one of the cakes I usually do a variation of the cake that is in the book. I don't use all Wilton stuff but you have to give them credit where credit is due!

Debbie

I responded but how do I vote?

Debbie

Thanks...