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Shell Pattern and Borders
Shell Pattern and Borders

A couple of simple pattern tricks will go a long way

toward dressing up drab baked goods. The "shell
pattern and border", discussed here, is one of the most
common styles. It is made with a star tip through which
frosting is squeezed from a pastry bag, called piping. A
cake can have a single design or border piped onto it,
or it may be covered in piped designs, depending on
the skill of the decorator.
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Õ Shell Pattern and Borders

The shell pattern is a basic and classic shape used for

decorating. It can be piped repeatedly around the
bottom or top, making an attractive border. They add
elegance and style to what would otherwise be an
ordinary looking cake. Usually bottom borders are piped
first, then swags or stringwork, then top borders are
added, with the flowers, top decorations or writing
added last.
Buttercream frosting, royal icing and whipped cream,
plus others, can be piped to make a shell shape. (Make
sure the cake is frosted and it has set first). You also can
use ready-made icing. Wilton makes tubes of icing that
accommodate metal tips and couplers. Grocery store
frosting is good for icing a cake, but it is too thick for
decorating.
 Õ Shell Pattern and Borders
Shell Pattern:

Insert a coupler base in your £eusable or and lock round Star Tip #21 onto it with your
coupler ring. Now use a sheet of waxed or parchment paper as your practice surface.

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Õ Shell Pattern and Borders
Shell Pattern:

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Õ Shell Pattern and Borders
Shell Pattern:

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Õ Shell Pattern and Borders
Shell Pattern:

Three different sizes with

3 differently sized tubes.
 Õ Shell Pattern and Borders
Borders
Piping a border the edges around the top and/or bottom of a frosted cake, will make it
look finished and professional. Shell ¬orders are made by creating shell shapes, described
above, repeatedly. To make decorating easier, place cake on a turntable.

To make a shell border, start the end of your next shell so that the fanned end
covers the tail of the preceding shell to form and even chain.
¬egin along the top edge of the cake (if you prefer to have a border there) and create a
border that covers the edge all the way around. Do the same along the bottom edge, but
with a larger star tip so it creates a thicker border that will give the cake balance and
style. Where you put them will depend on the cake's design and shape. Use your best
judgment to decide where your borders should be. You'll want your buttercream icing to
be of medium consistency.
 Õ Shell Pattern and Borders
Borders

1. Add a little paste color with a toothpick

2. Colured icing. Use colour sparingly

 Õ Shell Pattern and Borders
Borders

3. Burp the bag or get the air out

4. Bottom border is made from

shells
 Õ Shell Pattern and Borders
Borders

5. Lift Pastry Bag after every shell

6. Make a star border around the

top
Õ Shell Pattern and Borders