Sorry if this is a repeat question, but does anyone know how to make the puff base that is in so many wedding cake pictures? If so, please post detailed instructions on how to make it.
Thanks for sharing!
jscakes Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 18, 2005
Posts: 836
Location: WA
Posted:
Mon Jun 13, 2005 9:15 pm
I believe SquirrellyCakes knows!
smoothc Junior Member
Joined: Jun 08, 2005
Posts: 23
Posted:
Mon Jun 13, 2005 9:19 pm
Squirrelly Cakes, where are you? Help me please!!!!!!!
SquirrellyCakes Not Registered
Joined: Oct 03, 2004
Posts: 4504
Posted:
Mon Jun 13, 2005 9:27 pm
Well, likely most of the ones you are seeing, the folks got the instructions by ordering them from www.earlenescakes.com
Haha, Jscakes, I make them, that is true. I use different substances for the base depending on how sturdy it needs to be. So for smaller lightweight cakes, I use double cardboard, for heavier cakes, 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch plywood. Cut the base to the desired size. I use quilting batting to pad it, or sometimes thin foam, whatever I have handy depending on the amount of padding I want. Glue gun or staple it on, stretch it over your base and underneath and staple or gluegun to the underneath side. Then stretch material over this, you are basically upholstering the board. So you want to cut a piece of fabric so that it has about 1 inch overlap all around the diameter of your board. So 16 inch round about an 18 inch piece of fabric. Cut slits in the fabric about every inch or so so that the slits are just about to the diameter of the board you are covering. Same way you use foil to cover your board. You don't absolutely have to do this, but it makes a neater job. Stretch the fabric and the simplest way is to staple gun it to your board. So use shallow staples so the ends don't come through the top side. Start at one side, stretch and staple. Now stretch and staple the opposite side. Next another side, then the final side. So now you have four staples holding the fabric in place, you are going to stretch and gather the material if you must. You can now gluegun or staple down the rest of the fabric.
If you want to be really fussy, you will cover over the underneath with a piece of fabric cut to fit the diameter of the board so that no staples are exposed.
Does that make sense?
Hugs Squirrelly Cakes
jscakes Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 18, 2005
Posts: 836
Location: WA
Posted:
Mon Jun 13, 2005 9:30 pm
See, I told you!!! O Thank you SquirrellyCakes!
SquirrellyCakes Not Registered
Joined: Oct 03, 2004
Posts: 4504
Posted:
Mon Jun 13, 2005 9:42 pm
Heehee, Jscakes, how do you remember things so well?
I play with upholstery and was too cheap to send away for any instructions, haha!
I just happened to see the post and your response!
Hugs Squirrelly Cakes
smoothc Junior Member
Joined: Jun 08, 2005
Posts: 23
Posted:
Mon Jun 13, 2005 9:48 pm
First, thank you jscakes for pointing me in squirrelly cakes direction.
Second, than you squirrelly cakes for giving me detailed information. I have read the instructions twice and I do not understand. The lack of understanding is not normal for me so, right now, I feel like this . Now, isn't that just one BIG ball of emotions? I am going to sign off and try again in the morning
jscakes Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 18, 2005
Posts: 836
Location: WA
Posted:
Mon Jun 13, 2005 9:53 pm
You're good SquirrellyCakes! Can I copy just these words from you..."how do you remember things so well?"....and show hubby, ;)he'll never agree with you!
ha, if all else failed I would have sent you a personal message on this because you sent me information about it a while back.
Thanks again!
SquirrellyCakes Not Registered
Joined: Oct 03, 2004
Posts: 4504
Posted:
Mon Jun 13, 2005 9:53 pm
Oh dear, maybe I wasn't clear enough. Sometimes it is easier to follow a diagram. I will try to get to drawing one tomorrow and if you want to PM me and leave your email address, I will send it to you.
Everyone learns differently, some from audio means, some from written instructions, some from diagrams or combinations of methods. Haha and we all learn better when it isn't so late at night.
Just leave your email address by PM if you like and I will try to get to you tomorrow.
Hugs Squirrely Cakes
SquirrellyCakes Not Registered
Joined: Oct 03, 2004
Posts: 4504
Posted:
Mon Jun 13, 2005 9:57 pm
Haha, yes please copy and show hubby.
I think the slits thing sounds confusing when I read what I wrote, better a diagram, me thinks!
Haha, if I tried to draw one now, it would be very confusing, better tomorrow.
Heavens, I have to start going to bed before the wee hours, haha!
Hugs Squirrelly Cakes
PurplePetunia Frequent Member
Joined: Dec 21, 2004
Posts: 427
Posted:
Tue Jun 14, 2005 9:14 pm
Squirrelly,
Do you have a picture of what yours looks like?
I think I understand, but maybe not. I have two questions:
Do you pad and cover the entire board or just the edges all the way around?
Also, the ones on earlene's site looks kind of gathered or pleated. Does your method do that too?
Thanks,
Purple Petunia
SquirrellyCakes Not Registered
Joined: Oct 03, 2004
Posts: 4504
Posted:
Tue Jun 14, 2005 9:42 pm
Hi there, I am having trouble with my scanner, was only able to scan one way of doing this, which you would not get the gathers with. Will try again tomorrow to get another scan of the gathered method. I may have time on the weekend to make up one with some step-by-step photos, I am hoping.
The batting can be just to the edge or overlap onto the back.
Anyway, as soon as I can get the scanner working again and get a couple of hours to make one up for a demonstration, I will do so.
This is a busy couple of weeks for me and I have a few email requests for detailed instructions that I am behind on because this scanner is giving me grief, haha.
But I promise, I will get on this as soon as I can.
Hugs Squirrelly Cakes
peacockplace Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Oct 25, 2004
Posts: 2753
Posted:
Wed Jun 15, 2005 7:32 am
Glad to hear you use plywood squirrelly! I heard some use styrofoam. I just didn't see how that was strong enough.
Next question... I'm guessing the fabric is ruined with each cake??? Does the frosing leave grease spots??? Like if you put the cake on it the night before will there be a grease ring at the reception??
Maybe you can make a tutorial and post. I know you're busy, but in the next couple of weeks if you get time it would be really cool!
Thanks Squirrell... you're the best!!!
SquirrellyCakes Not Registered
Joined: Oct 03, 2004
Posts: 4504
Posted:
Wed Jun 15, 2005 8:30 am
Haha, plywood always for any heavy cakes!
Actually you can place styrofoam on the plywood to get the thicker edge as in a look similar to Earlene's Puff Base.
Just want to make sure that everyone knows, I have never seen Earlene's instructions. This was just my way of making bases for cakes. In fact, when I finally went on her site, I was surprised to see the Puff Base which looked similar to an effect I had used. I think her Puff Base is a very good look.
I dabble in sewing and a bit of upholstery work, cushions and chairs and such. So for me to send away for instructions when I could make something similar, well it wasn't an option. Haha, likely her method is easier than mine though.
I get tired of the same old flat look with the bases and had been playing with making a few simple ones for cakes.
Well, if you use styrofoam on the plywood, you can glue it and remove the whole thing when you want to change the fabric.
With certain fabrics, I do remove them and reuse them after they are washed and ironed. I have lined some with cotton so that the styrofoam could be re-used. But for something going out to the public, I would normally not reuse anything but the plywood and washed fabric.
Some satin fabrics are likely to develop grease spots, so you would have to test a piece out. What I usually do is take a washed and dried piece of fabric, actually plop some buttercream on it and see if and how much it bleeds out.
I have used moire, velvet, crushed velvet, lace with a layer or organza or organza on its own, various upholstery fabrics.
With some fabrics I use the clear plastic contact paper - which is actually vinyl, cut into the size of the cake, placed in the centre of the material. So you are actually cutting the cake on this plastic covering. This eliminates any possibility of grease spots.
I have to say, though, that other than the odd piece of satin, I don't find grease spots to be an issue.
Sometimes I use strictly a piece of styrofoam on the plywood, other times I use the quilting batting, sometimes I use Dacron or a similar fabric that you use over a pillow before you upholster it. If a fabric has a really loose weave you want to make sure that none of the batting can come through and make your surface fluffy. So a loose weave fabric I would line.
No, you will not see a grease ring on the stand. There may be spots under the cake from the moisture of the cake and also, since most people put a dab of icing underneath the cake to hold it in place. However this isn't an issue because the cake is generally cut in the kitchen, other than the first ceremonial cut. You will always see crumbs from that cut, regardless of the surface of the cake base.
I will try to get around to a tutorial on this in the near future.
Hugs Squirrelly Cakes
ntertayneme Moderator
Joined: Apr 13, 2005
Posts: 2743
Location: Lake Charles, Louisiana
Birthday: Nov 01
Posted:
Wed Jun 15, 2005 9:01 am
If you get a tutorial of how you did it Squirrellycakes, I'd love to have it too .. I'm better a visual things ..
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