How to: Plaid Effect

Hello my lovelies!!! Yeah I know I know, I've being a little bit quiet lately but also busy on some cakes and whenever I have some free time, that goes straight to "My Family time"; we took a short break and headed to Orlando, Fl the happiest place in the world (at least if you go to all those theme parks)

This week one of my cakey friend told me she was wondering how to make the Plaid Effect on some fondant because she needs to make some cupcake toppers and have that effect on some; When I made the Lalaloopsy cake   part of her dress included some plaid and this is how I made that part.



Let's first talk about the materials you will need and how to figure out the size of your lines.

You will need:

• Stencil sheets (to actually make stencils) 
• ruler
• x-acto knife with new razor 
• I used a circle cutter of 2 and 1/2 " as reference for the size of my lines
• cutting board or wooden board

Start by marking your lines. the distance for this particular stencil is only 1/4" so I mark a point ever 1/4". I marked each line 3 times so I will be totally sure my lines are completely straight.  Then trace the lines.

Once you have traced the lines, place and X every other space, so that is the line you want to cut and leave the rest alone. The x-acto knife needs to be brand new, at least the razor: now using the ruler, cut the lines, hold the ruler firmly, take a deep breath and cut with straight and steady hand. Remember always to use a wooden board or a cutting board to make this part, you don't want to mess up your beautiful table

As you can see I already have a few of these, they are easy to make and cheap. 

 So now you have the stencil, yeahhh you did it yourself!!! now is the time to actually USE it!!!

I used powder colors for this, it is easier, and super fast to make and when you use powder colors, the intensity is always different depending on how much powder you leave on the brush and that is a good effect for this plaid. Place the stencil and hold it firmly but not too hard so you don't  mess up the fondant. Remember this round is meant to be use on a cupcake topper. 

Now, the easiest part, well not so easy but you will do it great, lift the stencil, turn it around and instead of being vertical lines, now you will make the horizontal lines. And again, using some dry powder color (it can also be wet, but make sure is not too runny and the brush is not too wet) paint now the horizontal lines.

Here is the final product!!

Note: always remember to use the same stencil side for applying the color or you will mess up your design. If your stencil is leaving paint where you don't wan it, wash it carefully and let dry. Then it will be ready to use. 

I hope this come in handy for you!!! 

Cakey Hugs, Joly