I was thinking of buying the Ateco 36 x 24 blue one but I thought I would check with all of you first - just in case there was a better one to invest in. I am a newbie but am thoroughly enjoying the group.

Also I am thinking of buying Perfecting the Art of Buttercream DVD by Sharon Zambito. It sounds like it would be helpful.

TIA....

-Darlene

The Ateco looks like a good one. I'm too cheap though. I buy vinyl by the yard at Wal-Mart for $2.02 @ yard and cut it to whatever sizes that I need. If it ever gets wrinkles in it you can spray it off with hot water and the wrinkles fall out....love the stuff because it's so cheap.

Buy the DVD.

I have the blue Ateco mat, I like it a lot but I've heard people say they've bought pieces of vinyl that work just as well.

And yes to the buttercream DVD...actually, yes to all of her DVDs. They're amazingly informative.

Mamawrobin, you always beat me to the punch! You must have super fast fingers.

mamawrobin - thinks for the tip. Since Walmart is huge which department should I look in for vinyl?

I thought the viddeo would be good.

Thank you very much....

-Darlene

Starting out, I was told not to get the expensive mats because they are not large enough to roll fondant for the larger cakes. I went to Hancock Fabrics and bought the thicker clear table vinyl and use it to roll all mine. Works great for a fraction of the cost. ($5.99 a yard I think) I bought a yard and cut it into two different sizes. One piece will accommodate the 18" cake. The other I use for smaller pieces. I also bought a piece of thick PVC for storage. Just roll the vinyl up and put it inside. This keeps the vinyl from folding and becoming damaged. I do not cut on the vinyl I use to roll out. I move it to a cut mat. Love it!!!

Frankdiabetes - thank you. It is always good when someone endorses a product. I am thinking of the Ateco mat for big projects and to get the vinyl to cut up for little mats....They say you can cut the Ateco but for the price.eeekk

Mamawrobin my walmart doesn't sell fabric anymore BUT I am near a joann's so I am sure I can find something-thank you for the great tip!

grandmomof1 - thanks for the tip-esp the pvc pipe to store them -great idea!

Check any fabric store. I found some at Hancock Fabrics for 3.79 a yard. Not as cheap as Walmart, but since they took the fabric departments out of most them, it was the best option.

Mamawrobin-I did it I bought some vinyl at Joann's-got it for $4.99 a yard and it is a huge piece-for a table I think-plus I got 40% off-Yea! I will try that for my first attempts at rolling fondant. Now I think I will put that $30 I just saved towards some magic line square pans!

I bought the Ateco and haven't regretted a single thing. I love it. I roll out fondant to cover an 16" and it's big enough for that.
I also have most everything Sugarshack has on DVD and watch everything over and over and over again! Luv em both.

Thank you malakin-I am getting the video!

Got some Karen421-thank you for your help.

We use the vinyl from Walmart as well. We both love how it works. The medium gauge is great for the little extra flexibility it offers. We keep a square plastic container on the shelf, and have it laying on it's side with the front elevated just an inch or so. We roll all our mats to put it in there, plus our large rolling pins and the "paint" roller we use to smooth our buttercream. Everything stays together nicely and it's always easy to just grab what we need.

Definitely a yes to Sugarshack's DVDs. I have the blue mat, A wilton mat with markings on it, AN Ateco mat that is tan with blue around the edge, and the Walmart vinyl. I like my blue mat the best.

Thank you crownsj-I appreciate your help.

Price-I am definitely getting the video! May I ask why the blue Ateco is your favorite?

DarleneP - The blue mat just seems more flexible. It is a nice large size. I'm not in business, so it's really unusual for me to have to roll fondant any larger than the mat because I don't do many large cakes. I don't have to worry about the blue mat wrinkling and it stays in place on the table nicely. The Ateco mat that is tan, has threads that run through it, (I guess as a reinforcement). Those threads tend to cause a pattern on my fondant. I know I could probably smooth them out, but I like my fondant nice and smooth to start with. The Wilton mat, just seems a little thick and heavier. I use the Walmart vinyl sometimes, but for me it's a little harder to roll up and store. Then when I get it back out it doesn't lay flat on the table as nicely as the blue mat does. Each person is different, and what works for some, doesn't work for others. You just need to experiment and see what you like. The vinyl is the cheapest way to go, you might want to get a piece and try it before investing in a more expensive mat.

I love my blue ateco mat. It works very well. cant recall why i stopped using my vinyl, but i think it was harder to handle, fondant sticks a little more. has few marks/creases from when i dont roll it exactly and it folds a bit.

Thanks Price. I was wondering if the mat would be a little easier for me being a newbie and all.... I too just make cakes for my family so I can't imagine I would ever be making a huge cake. But the vinyl will be great for my next Wilton cake class. They want us to roll it out on the back of the practice board yuckies.....

do you have to grease or use 10x sugar on the vinyl? I have been rolling mine out on the kitchen table and have to use so much sugar and end up screaming because it sticks sometimes.

mamawrobin you are the best. When are you going to start a school