I'm new to cake decorating and I just can't seem to make a rose. All my flowers look like gardenias! Can't seem to get that smooth petal look. All mine have jagged edges. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Try putting some corn syrup in your icing to help making it a bit stretchier. That has helped me before. Also look on youtube, type in buttercream roses. There is a lady that does them on a dowel rod instead of a flower nail. I have found that's easier too, it just takes practice. HTH

Make sure your tip isn't "too closed" up at the thin end that makes the petal edge... sometimes the tips get pinched closed or are made that way and you just have to use a knife or other 'tool' to pry it open A LITTLE BIT... you have to be careful not to open it too much...

Also, dont fill your bag too full... i find that if my bag is full of stiff icing im putting so much pressure on the bag that it makes it difficult to pipe and therefore makes my roses look like crap.

Just a couple of ideas. HTH

I agree with the corn syrup trick...to thick of BC will make the edges ragged. Of course... I havent made a rose in ages. Good luck, in no time you will get it!

Thanks for all the advice. I will try them all. I guess I'm expecting too much too soon. Thanks for all your help.

If you have it on hand, piping gel w/also work the same.
Please know that even in nature rose petals often are ragged.......I *love!* when mine turn out that way
A beginner has trouble coordinating how fast to turn the nail along w/how hard to squeeze. The more you practice the less trouble you will have and the 'cleaner' the petals will become.

I know this sounds dumb, but I can't make roses with a 104 tip, I can only make them with a 97. Maybe you can try that?