Hi folks

I am struggling to get a symmetrical shape to my madhatter or vase shaped cakes. When I carved this one, it was kinda lopsided when you looked at it from certain angles, though it's probably not so obvious from this angle:
http://cakecentral.com/gallery/2309436/quad-bike-on-the-beach

When I did this one, it was lopsided from one perspective.
http://cakecentral.com/gallery/2324685/flower-pot-cake-for-mothers-day

The way I did both of them was to put a cardboard circle on top, then gradually whittle down the sides of the cake towards the bottom until it seemed right. But there must be a better way to do it, to make it more even. Or maybe I messed it up when I put the buttercream icing on underneath, is there a way to make sure that's perfectly even?

Any advice welcome, it's very frustrating!

I do mine by putting a cardboard circle on top (which you did) and using a long knife that is longer or as long as the cake is tall to carve it out. I put the edge of the knife against the circle (which has to be dead center) and the tip of the knife against the cake board it is sitting on (which is same size as the cake). Then I hold the circle with one hand and carve around it.

I find it is easier to do that way than eyeballing it with multiple small cuts holding the blade parallel to the table.

You don't say if that's how you carved it, but that's my $0.02

Karateka, I am having one of those 'head in hands' moments where I am thinking what a dummy I am! YES, I did use a small knife and held the blade parallel to the table. As I was reading your answer the penny dropped all over the place! Thank you so much, it seems so obvious now!

Glad I could help!