Tracie P's Demo about September12th, 2000

BRUSH EMBROIDERY: THREE DIMENSIONAL BRUSH EMBROIDERY DEMONSTRATION
Notes from the ICES CONVENTION -DETROIT. MI - 2000
Demo by Jaci Salisbury

I have posted a photo of the brush embroidery cake on my website so you can see the cake these notes refer to.  Please go to www.cincinnaticakes.com/brush.html This website is no longer online...goes to a commercial site that has popup ads! 2/25/05

Brush embroidery is done with soft royal icing, but you must work quickly to finish it before it dries.  Adding one teaspoon of piping gel to a cup of icing slows down the drying time and gives a smoother surface.  Always use a #1 tube for embroidery.  Simply increase pressure when more icing is needed.  If you prefer, cut a small hole in a parchment bag the size of a #1 tube.

Always start embroidery with the part of the design that appears to be farthest away.  This will give depth to the embroidery

Choose your design.  White on white is suitable for a wedding cake or elegant decoration.   A more dramatic effect is achieved by piping a white design on a dark background, or a dark design on a cream background.

Several complimentary colors can be used together and highlighted with petal dust after the icing has completely dried.

Once you have chosen your design, you must transfer the pattern to your cake.  This can be done with various transfer methods or a cutter can be pressed into the cake.  Do not press too deeply when using cutters.  A deep impression will make it difficult to outline the object.

Pipe the outline, working a small area at a time.  Flood just inside the line.  Using a slightly damp #2 or #3 sable brush, squeeze the bristles flat between your fingers.  Brush the icing toward the center of the design.

When the brushwork is completely dry, pipe in any detail, such as the stamens in flowers or veins in leaves using a fine tube.  Work from the outside of the design towards the center, deal with the background first and working on only one small section at a time.  The background should be light and delicate so that it will not over-power the detail in the foreground.

The paintbrush should be damp.  If it is too dry, the icing will become rough and uneven.  If it is too wet, it will make a puddle.  The brush should be held at a 45 degree angle and long strokes should be used starting at the top edge of the petal or leaf and continue to the base to avoid ridges.

3 DIMENSIONAL BRUSH EMBROIDERY ON CHOCOLATE OR FONDANT

Three dimensional brush embroidery is done using additional pieces of fondant or chocolate clay.  Chocolate clay will stay pliable for a longer time.  Imprint the design on your cake or plaque.  Brush embroider it and let it dry completely.  Decide what sections you want to be three-dimensional.  Roll out a thin layer of fondant or chocolate clay and cut out individual sections.  Attach one piece and brush embroider it.  Brush embroider each piece as it is attached.  Build up layers to achieve the desired effect.