Hi all!
Below is a photo I just took of some roses I made using the Wilton Method Gumpaste Rose. On the two larger ones in the back row you can see that they are more ruffled and seem a bit larger. In the front and particularly the ones in the peachy color they are less ruffled. My question is, which one is right? Or, is it just personal preference?

Also, On the photos I've reviewed up here at CC on the Wilton Course III final cake, the roses seem so much bigger or is it just a trick of the eye/camera etc. These seem so small in comparison. I measured them and the more ruffled ones are an inch and three-quarter's, and the other ones are right at an inch, to an inch and a quarter. Again the ones up here at CC seem so much larger than this.

Why does Wilton teach the 5 petal construction in class but in their Gum Paste Flowers kit they have a set of 2 or 3 rose petals that you make all the petals individually?

Thanks for the input. I think they all turned out pretty but I just had some questions so I thought I'd post them here. Thanks again!

- Paula

Your roses look lovely! In my opinion, there is no "right" or "wrong" way to make a flower- it's how it looks right TO YOU. Personally, I prefer the bigger, rufflier ones you have at the back of the photo, but I bet there would be a time and a place where the other kind might serve you better. This is sugar ART, and artists do things differently. For instance, I prefer Boticelli to Picasso, but that doesn't make one of them right or wrong.

Your Roses look wonderful, I am still working on getting them made right.

I'd try for thr ruffled ones, I think they are prettier, but that is JMO.

I agree, no right or wrong. There are so many varieties of roses, some are more ruffled than others. I prefer less ruffled myself. The only thing I would suggest on your petals is to make them less round. Look at a real rose and you will see that the sides of the petal tends to roll under on both sides, leaving almost a point in the cnter of the petal edge. What you can do is make them just as you are doing now, roll the paste a bit thinner, then take your index finger tip, place it behind the petal just in the middle of the petal, pull it gently towards you, then roll the petal back and under just a bit on each side. It gives it a softer, more natural appearance.

I absolutly love your roses they look amazing

Shirley, do you charge an advising fee?? You've been the go to gal for most of my questions the last few days!

Anyone know how to get roses that look like this? It's just how I prefer my real ones - kinda open but not.

I make roses in stages when I am doing larger ones. I always make the base 1 day in advance so it is totally dry to start the flower on. i aim for VERYVERY thin petals, but I don't ruffle them at all in the center petals and not much even on the outher ones - most roses aren't very "ruffle-y" type of flowers) I wrap one petal around to get the bud tip. then two for the next row, three for the 3rd row. For the fourth row I flip the petals over after thinning them and attach that those 4 petals. then I let the flower dry overnight upside down (hanging). Then I do the five petals in the fifth row by thinning them, flipping them over, and then attaching. I also "mold" the petals a bit on the 4th and 5th rows which allows you to do the type of flips and such you see on the photo you attached. by the time I attach the last petals of a row, the first ones I set into place have firmed a tiny bit and will hold the shape I pinch them into.

Hoping this makes sense.

I have trouble sometimes getting the gumpaste to stick to the wire/toothpick. What do you use - tiny bits of water or extract? Thanks!!

P.S.: Paula, your roses are awesome

I just came back from Chicago from the Wilton Master Course and also took the Gumpaste and Fondant classes. In the Gumpaste class we were taught the individual petal method with very little ruffling. Just use your large ball tool to gently "soften" the edge of the petals before applying. Then you can mold the petal to the desired shape. Also, roll your gumpaste very, very thin. Not only does it look more natural, the petals will dry faster and sag less. We were taught to bend the wire downward to make the flower dry upside down. For larger flowers, the first 3 rows of petals need to dry overnight before continuing with the rows of the larger petals. Mary said that even since the Wilton gumpaste book was published, new and improved methods have been discovered and they teach it a bit differently than the book. Also, used 1 tablespoon meringue powder mixed with some water to form a thin glue to use for applying petals. I used to just use water, but the meringue "glue" is MUCH better. I'll always use it from now on.

Would you also use the meringue glue for attaching the initial buds to the wire?

This was great to know about the Gumpaste flowers.

Yes Paula, the one who sent you the Plumeria instruction. And Yes zmama, the same Shirley. And no, I don't charge for advise. Do you think I am posting too often or should back off giving advise? I don't want to monopolize the forum. And I don't want to be thought of as a Diva either.

zmama, The rose photo you posted is what I was trying to describe when I said the petals roll back slightly on each side. I like using Nic Lodge's All In One rose cutter but for the last row I like to cut singles petals, thin and bend them to shape and attach to the finished rose with gum glue. When I make my rose centers I make a gumpaste cone shape and I use a hooked wire to insert into it. The hook is just done by bending the end of your wire (#30 gauge) and dipping just the hook into the glue, insert into the bottom of the gumpaste cone, then pull it back out just slightly and the hook will catch on the thicker part of the paste in the cone. pinch the end of the come at the bottom where it meets the wire. That will secure it to the wire, stick into styrofoam to dry. I make all of my centers the night before so they have a chance to dry completely. Because when you have all of the petals on your rose you turn the flower upside down, and you want to be sure it isn't going to pull the center cone off and fall on the floor. Make a large hook in the end of the wire after you have completed your rose and stick it into a block of styrofoam, you want the foam to be right on the edge of your table or counter top and weight it down with a can of soup or something heavy enough to keep it from tipping over, Stick the hook of your wire into the foam and let the rose hang suspended upside down over the countertop or table edge so it is in free air and not touching anything. Leave till the petals feel firm enough that they will hold their shape and stay in place.
Here are some of the roses done with the AllIn One cutter with extra single petals added last.
http://www.cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=coppermine&file=displayimage&meta=allby&uname=ShirleyW&cat=0&pos=160

Shirley, if you "back off" you're bound to be beaten! We all appreciate your input, keep it up!

What do you use for cutters? I have experimented with the med. oval cutter and have cut them by hand. This is for the indivual petal rose.[img][/img]

I have to make some roses soon for a christmas cake I am planning. I will try to remember to take photos of the different stages. It might help make my explanations better . . .lol.

This thread is wonderful. I tried to make the Wilton Rose last night, very frustrating. I'll try doing it in steps, letting the flower dry between petals, sounds logical. I look forward to seeing the photos of a step by step rose, jmt1714. I thank everyone so much for taking the time to post your experiences and hints and Thank You Stlalohagal for asking the original question.

Paula-
I can see that my first post wasn't very clear. They DID teach us the individual petal method in Chicago. I tried the other method and it was a total disaster and took twice as long!

Just want to give a BIG THANK to everyone that share their tips. If not for you all, I would not be able to finish the roses for my Wilton Course 3 final cake.

Sweets, you are a fast learner and look what you accomplished! That is really beautiful.

How about this :

Your cake is absolutely beautiful!!