I drew these practice sheets with a few common shapes to use for making some YouTube videos about piping buttercream icing on cakes and cupcakes. You can download them to use yourself, and I’ve also added some videos to get you started.
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How to use the sheets.
Download and print the sheets out, then follow the lines on them to practice the shapes that you’ll be using on your cake. I put a plexiglass sheet on top of the practice sheet so that I can scrape the icing off and use it again, and the printed sheet can be used over and over.
I got the plexiglass from a frame, it’s just the plastic that comes in a frame that covers the photo. If you have one that’s 8.5×11″, or a little larger, that will cover up the printed practice sheet. Pipe on the plastic, then scrape it off with a spatula and reuse it later.
You can also use waxed paper for this, but it will get wet and make it hard to use more than a few times. The plexiglass or glass is better!
Printable top border piping practice sheet.
This one is for practicing your top border piping. The hardest part of piping a top cake border is getting the sections even and joining the start and end, so practicing on a real circle ahead of time can help your estimating skills.
To download the file click here:
Straight lines and dots piping practice sheet.
This one is for practicing your piping skills for making borders or piping straight, unbroken lines. This can often be the hardest skill to master, because you use straight lines for writing on cakes, and that can get difficult. You also use straight line piping for swags. I’ve also included dots to practice piping drop flowers, and petal shapes to try to pipe flower petals.
To download the file, click here:
Basketweave piping practice sheet.
This one is for learning the pattern for piping a basketweave. I’ve added the numbered strokes and the directions for the first few lines, and you’ll just follow those for the rest of the pattern.
To download the file, click here:
Shell borders and flourishes piping practice sheet.
This sheet has curving shapes to give you the general idea of how to pipe swags and flourishes, along with a fleur de lis. When you get the hang of the rhythm of these you’ll be able to add fancier borders and decorations to cakes.
To download the file click here:
