7 Easy Ways To Wire Sugar Petals & Leaves | Beginner Friendly | + FREE GIVEAWAY
“How do I wire sugar petals & leaves?” This question comes up so much in the comment section of my YouTube Channel. Many of you out there, are super eager to start making sugar flowers, but are not sure of the basic techniques to get started OR you have minimal equipment. Don’t worry I’ve got you!
So, I am going to outline not 1 but ‘7’ easy ways you can wire sugar petals & leaves, that will get you started and have you making beautiful sugar flowers and leaves in no time.
THIS FREE GIVEAWAY HAS NOW ENDED. More information about this is listed in the VIDEO and at the end of this blog.
‘Everyone has to start somewhere’ - I remember when I first started making sugar flowers. I had minimal sugar craft equipment and my repertoire of sugar flower techniques were even less. My ability to thread the florist wire through the gumpaste was awful. Resulting in me often being left with florist wire poking through the gumpaste, with a finished flower that looked more like a new flower species, rather than the one I set out to create. Leaving me feeling very disappointed!
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The wrong way to wire petals and leaves!… Let’s Put an end to this!
7 Easy Wired Sugar Petals & Leaves Techniques
“IT IS GREAT TO HAVE THE RIGHT TOOLS TO DO THE JOB. THEY GENERALLY MAKE THINGS EASIER. HOWEVER WE MUST NOT LET THE LACK OF TOOLS STOP US FROM TRYING OUT NEW PROJECTS”.
- Arise Cake Creation
Most people will tend to use a ‘Groove Board, Veining Board or Celboard’ (these names are actually the same piece of equipment) when they want to make wired sugar flowers or leaves. The groove boards have groove lines in them, when the gumpaste is rolled over the groove it creates a channel to insert the florist wire into.
However, if you are a beginner and do not have this piece of equipment, you can still start making wired sugar flowers.
If you have a groove board but still have trouble wiring sugar petals and leaves, I have not left you out and have techniques for you also.
If you are an expert at making sugar flower there maybe a technique or two that you may want to try or even convert to!
Here are the 7 Easy Techniques for wiring sugar petals & Leaves:
Finger Press
Small Rolling Pin
Taco Method
Twiddle Method
Groove Rolling Pin
Sandwich Method (with & without a Groove Board/CelBoard)
Original Method (using a Groove Board/CelBoard)
**Notes:
** Florist Wire Colour
Use either green or white paper covered florist wire that is suitable for the flower or leaf you are making. I generally use white for petals, since they are normally rolled quite thin and green or white wires for leaves. Brushing petals and leaves with edible petal dust when finishing sugar flowers and leaves tends to blend away any wires that might be peeping though.
**Prepare Your Gumpaste - This preparation can be used for all techniques.
I have two great easy gumpaste recipes: Traditional Gumpaste or Vegan Gumpaste. Prepare the appropriate size of gumpaste for the petal or leaf cutter you will be using. Knead and condition your gumpaste if required by adding a very small amount of vegetable shortening which will condition your gumpaste. If your gumpaste is sticky/tacky then dab a small amount of cornflour (corn starch) to the work surface, gumpaste or your fingers.
If reqiured, when using the groove board/CelBoard, you can rub a small amount of vegetable shortening over the groove and board, to help the gumpaste adhere to it slightly as you roll out the gumpaste over the groove.
In this tutorial I used 26 gauge wire for the leaves and 28 gauge wire for the petals. The gauge wire you use, will be dependent upon how thin your petals or leaves are for the type of flower or leaves you want to make.
**How To Insert The Wire Into Gumpaste Petals & Leaves
If your gumpaste is slightly dry or the wire just will not stay, brush a small amount of water or edible glue onto the wire where it will be inserted into the gumpaste - I have a great easy edible glue recipe here.
Hold the petal or leaf gently in between your thumb and index finger, you can also hold it between your thumb or third finger, whichever feels the most comfortable. I tend to use either finger interchangeably.
Then gently and carefully guide the florist wire into the groove/channel you have created, using your fingers to guide the wire ensure the wire does not poke through the gumpaste. Insert the wire about a third to half way into the petal or leaf. Voila, done!
1. Finger Press
**Prepare your gumpaste as per the notes above. This is a super simple method and only requires the use of your fingers to create the ridge line for the florist wire to be inserted.
Place the gumpaste onto your work surface. Use the index fingers of your left and right hand to pad down either side of the gumpaste, to create a ridge through the centre. Whilst creating the ridge flatten either side of the gumpaste to be as thin as possible (how thin you go will be dependent on the style of flower or leaf you are making). Place your petal or leaf cutter over the ridge line and cut it out accordingly.
**Inset the florist wire as per the notes above. You can then proceed to vein the petal or leaf and thin the edges further with a ball tool or small rolling pin.
This method creates a thicker ridge line to insert the wire. Although this method is super easy, you will have to push hard with your index fingers to thin out the gumpaste as much as possible.
2. Small Rolling Pin
**Prepare your gumpaste as per the notes above. Use a small rolling pin, I normally use my small CelPin. If you have neither of these, this is not a problem, you can use either a pencil or paint brush handle that is smooth and round or something similar.
Place the gumpaste on your work surface. Use the rolling tool you have handy, roll slightly off centre to the left, then to the right, as you thin each side it will leave a ridge line in the centre. Place your petal or leaf cutter over the ridge line and cut it out accordingly.
**Inset the florist wire as per the notes above. You can then proceed to veining the petal or leaf and thinning the edges further with a ball tool or small rolling pin.
This method will enables you to roll the gumpaste thinner than the Finger Press method.
3. Taco Method
I have named this the ‘Taco’ Method, however, there is no other food involved to complete this method. It just reminds me of the way you would fold a soft taco! Anyway… back to explaining what to do!
Tip: This method can only be used for leaves NOT petals. There needs to be a central vein, so you can fold the gumpaste and most petals do not have this.
**Prepare your gumpaste as per the notes above. Roll out your gumpaste as thin as you need it to be for the leaf that you are making.
If you are veining your leaf, then do this first and also thin the leaf edge. Brush a small amount of water or edible glue on the wire area that will be attached to the leaf and the central area of the leaf, where the wire will be placed. Place the wire into the centre of the leaf, then gently fold the leaf in half, to trap the wire. Only the area with the water or edible glue will stick to the gumpaste and the wire. If you find that the wire or the gumpaste is not sticking, carefully brush another small amount of water or edible glue onto the area that is not adhering.
Carefully pinch the underside of the central vein of the leaf where the wire was inserted, then softly open out the rest of the leaf, being careful to avoid the area that has has the wire inserted.
This method is quick and easy, however, your leaf will not be as flat at the back as some of the other methods.
4. Twiddle Method
This method is used by a number professional sugar flower/cake decorators such as Suzanne Esper. It is a super quick way to attached your wire to petals and leaves, especially if you are making lots all at once.
Tip: You will need to ensure that your gumpaste is fresh and soft to be able to stick the twiddle to your petals or leaves.
**Prepare your gumpaste as per the notes above. Roll out your gumpaste as thin as you need it to be for the petal or leaf that you are making. Cut out the petal or leaf, then insert the petal or leaf into a plastic sleeve or a zip lock bag so it does not dry out, while you prepare the wire.
Take a very small ball size amount of fresh and soft gumpaste. If your gumpaste is soft enough you will not need to add any water or edilbe glue to your wire. Push the gumpaste onto the wire, then with your index finger and thumb, begin to gently twirl (twiddle) the gumpaste onto the wire. If any excess gumpaste goes over the wire tip, pinch this excess away. Twiddle the gumpaste onto the wire until it is almost as thin as the wire. Before taking away any excess gumpaste, measure the length required against the petal or leaf. It will only need to be about half way up the petal or leaf. Pinch away any excess gumpaste that is longer than the length you need. Gently press the area of gumpaste on the wire, onto your petal or leaf. With the petal or leaf still soft and the twiddled gumpaste on the wire still soft, no water or edible glue should be need, The twiddle gumpaste should stick to the petal or leaf with no problems.
If you wish to do so, you can proceed to vein the petal or leaf and thinning the edges further with a ball tool or small rolling pin.
This method is quick, but twiddling the gumpaste onto the wire can take some getting used to. The wire may show through gumpaste depending on how thin you twiddle the gumpaste onto the wire. There may also be a visible line where the gumpaste was attached. However, being at back and once dusted this may not be visible.
5. Groove Rolling Pin
This is my first time using a groove/vein rolling pin. My verdict: I really love it! I purchased it while in the UK from Cakes To Please . I purchase two, so I have one to GIVEAWAY FREE along with some other great sugar craft tools. The details for the FREE GIVEAWAY is at the end of this post.
It is a very handy tool when you want to make lots of petals and leaves. One roll and you have a central vein/groove line. The groove rolling pin generally has multiple groove lines, which enables you roll out multiple petals or leaves at once. The one I have has 4 groove lines, spaced out at varying widths.
Tip: Roll the petal or leaf to be about 1-2 mm thickness, before using the groove rolling pin. The multiple groove lines in the rolling pin enables you to roll out enough gumpaste to make several petals or leaves in one go. However, I would only suggest to do this if you can roll out the gumpaste quickly, since it can be quite hard to roll out so many at once, especially if the your gumpaste dries out quickly or if you are not yet quick enough.
**Prepare your gumpaste as per the notes above. Once you have rolled the gumpaste to be about 2mm thickness. Applying enough pressure, roll the groove rolling pin along the gumpaste in one single movement either away from you or towards you, whichever feels the most comfortable. This final roll with the groove rolling pin, will also flatten and make the gumpaste thinner. There will be a groove line all the way through the petal or leaf that you cut out, however, you can roll over part of the groove line so you are only left with a ridge line that will be a third to half way through your petal or leaf. Place your petal or leaf cutter over the groove line and cut it out accordingly.
**Inset the florist wire as per the notes above. You can then proceed to vein the petal or leaf and thin the edges further with a ball tool or small rolling pin.
This method is a very easy way to create a vein line.
6. Sandwich Method
Even though the name implies it, there is also no food involved here! With this method you can use the groove board (as I have done in the video). Or you can also do this method without it. I explain both methods here.
Tip: Place a small anti-slip mat under the groove board so it does not move around as you roll the gumpaste. This method works better with a thinner gauge wire such as 28g or 30g. Use enough gumpaste so that you are able to fold the excess amount in half, once the florist wire is laid down to be sandwiched between the gumpaste.
Method With The Groove Board
**Prepare your gumpaste as per the notes above. Roll out the gumpaste over the groove to about 1-2mm thickness, ensure you have enough excess gumpaste rolled out. Place a 28g or 30g wire into the groove and on the gumpaste, If you gumpaste is soft you will need no edible glue. Proceed to fold the excess gumpaste in half over the wire, to trap it in between the 2 layers of gumpaste. Proceed to use a rolling pin again, to roll around the wire, so you have a little thicker centre line, but will still be able to achieve a thinner petal or leaf if that is what you need. Lift the gumpaste gently from the groove board, carefully flip over the gumpaste with the wire, so the ridge line is face upwards. Place your petal or leaf cutter over the groove line so the ridge line is about a third or half way up the petal and leaf and cut it out accordingly.
**Inset the florist wire as per the notes above. You can then proceed to vein the petal or leaf and thin the edges further with a ball tool or small rolling pin.
This method is a great way to get wire inserted with minimal manipulation.
Method Without The Groove Board
**Prepare your gumpaste as per the notes above. Roll out the gumpaste over a flat surface to about 1-2mm thickness, ensure you have enough excess gumpaste rolled out. Place a 28g or 30g wire in the middle of the gumpaste. Fold the excess gumpaste in half over the wire, to trap it in between the 2 layers of gumpaste. Use a rolling pin again, to roll around the wire, so you have a little thicker centre line, but will still be able to achieve a thinner petal or leaf if that is what you need.
**Inset the florist wire as per the notes above. You can then proceed to vein the petal or leaf and thin the edges further with a ball tool or small rolling pin.Roll your gum paste nice and thin.
This method is great since you need no tools other than a rolling pin and minimal manipulation to get the wire inserted.
7. Original Method
I class this method as the original method, since this is the technique that will normally be taught the most.
Tip: Place a small anti-slip mat under the groove board so it does not move around as you roll the gumpaste. Most groove boards have multiple grooves lines in one direction and one large groove line for larger petals and leaves. The multiple groove lines enables you to roll out enough gumpaste to make several petals or leaves in one go. However, I would only suggest to do this if you can roll out the gumpaste quickly, since it can be quite hard to roll out so many at once, especially if the your gumpaste dries out quickly or if you are not yet quick enough. Only roll as much gumpaste as you need to make your petals or leaves.
**Prepare your gumpaste as per the notes above. Roll out the gumpaste over the groove line(s). Roll the gumpaste as thin as you need it to be for your petal or leaf. Lift the gumpaste gently from the groove board, carefully flip over the gumpaste, so the ridge line is face upwards. Place your petal or leaf cutter over the groove line so the ridge line is about a third or half way up the petal and leaf and cut it out accordingly.
**Inset the florist wire as per the notes above. You can then proceed to vein the petal or leaf and thin the edges further with a ball tool or small rolling pin. You can also smooth out the ridge line on the back further if you wish to do so.
This is probably the hardest method to master, but with practice it does become easier.
NOTE: IF YOU EVER TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENTER SUGAR FLOWER COMPETITIONS. USE A GROOVE ROLLING PIN OR GROOVE BOARD, THESE ARE THE TECHNIQUES YOU SHOULD USE. THE JUDGES ARE LOOKING FOR ONE CONTINUES JOIN, ALSO IT IS EASIER TO HIDE THE VEIN LINE SO THEY ARE NOT VISIBLE ON THE BACK OF PETALS AND LEAVES. THE JUDGES WILL CHECK!
***GREAT GIVEAWAY - FLOWER MAKING KIT***
***THIS COMPETITION HAS NOW ENDED***
***CONGRATULATIONS!!!🤗
***TO MY FIRST EVER GIVEAWAY WINNER🥳 LORRAINE HICKS
As a way to say “Thank you” for your support, encouragement on this journey and also helping me to reach 10K on YouTube… well I am actually at over 14K now! I know I am late doing this, but better late than never right!
I am doing this giveaway through Gleam, they make it really easy to enter. There are a number of ways you can enter, such as making a comment on my YouTube channel, through Instagram or Facebook. It’s your choice. But make sure to get in all the entries you can so you have a better chance to win this'.
I have a great FREE GIVEAWAY for you to get started making sugar flowers. I have pulled together this flower making kit, to get you going all neatly packaged in an Arise Cake Creations Canvas bag:
Groove/Vein Rolling Pin - from Cakes To Please, UK
PME Sugar Flower & Mexican Hat Foam Pad Set - from BBake, Thailand
2inch Rose Cutter & Silicone Veiner Set - from BBake, Thailand
Peony Cutter & Silicone Veiner Set - from BBake, Thailand
Universal Silicone Leaf Veiner - from KAOORIGINAl, Thailand
4 Piece Ball Tool Set - from KAOORIGINAL, Thailand
25 X Light Weight Tear Drop Cotton Flower Centre in size: 1cm - From KAOORIGINAL, Thailand
Florist Tape in colours: White, mid-green and dark green - from Flower Clay, Thailand
Florist Wire (white paper covered) in gauge sizes: 18g, 20g, 22g, 24g, 26g, 28g, 30g - from Flower Clay, Thailand
4 x (in each size) Light Weight Tear Drop Cotton Flower Centres in sizes: 2cm & 2.8cm - from Flower Clay, Thailand
Arise Cake Creations canvas bag for you to carry all you new tools & equipment in.
Someone will be picked at random after this giveaway closes on the 16 August 2022. If you are selected, I will notify you accordingly. I will give you a shout out on my YouTube Channel and you will be named on in this blog.
***This FREE GIVEAWAY is not sponsored or endorsed in any way.***
Whatever wiring technique/method you choose, keep practicing you will get better and will master it in no time. I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. If you learned these methods from me and make any sugar flowers with them, please remember to tag me - #arisecakecreations - @arisecakecreations on Instagram or Facebook, so I can see your beautiful floral creations.
