I have seen a lot of cakes on here with beautiful scrollwork. Does anyone have any tips on doing scrollwork. Do you plan it out ahead of time where you are placing it or do you just kinda go at it randomly. TIA

I've used the Five Scroll Set stencils from Designer Stencils, and the Wilton Pattern Press Set.

This video helped me - http://sugarteachers.blogspot.com/2010/07/creating-scrolls-on-your-cake-by-denise.html
The key is practice though.

I had thought about getting the five scroll set from Designer Stencils and I already have the Wilton Pattern Press. I will check out that video. Thanks!

I use the method that someone posted on CC once. I take the metal cutters off of aluminum foil boxes and make them into different scroll patterns. Then I leave indents in the side of my cakes with them and then pipe icing over the patterns. I don't trust myself to do it randomly!

The randomly placed ones look so beautiful, but I am so anal retentive that I have to plan everything out and make sure each one is perfect. I wish I could just relax and go with it like the video deah posted. So, for me I plan them all out with the wilton patterns or making my own.

EmilysCakes, that sounds like a great idea! I will give it a try. Karen421 I know what you mean about planning it out, that was why I was asking, I don't trust myself to just go at it randomly. Hard telling what it might look like. You all are wonderful and I appreciate the responses.