Basic Decorating Techniques
How to Choose & Use Decorating Bags |
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In this lesson, you'll learn about using three types of bags: Featherweight, Disposable, and Parchment. Let's see what makes each of these bags unique:
Featherweight Bags are lightweight, strong, washable polyester. Specially coated to prevent any seepage of grease, these bags can be used over and over and still stay flexible.
Disposable Bags are clear plastic. Handy for fast decorating, these bags are just thrown away when the decorating is done.
Parchment Bags are made from parchment paper triangles. Generally, you'll use parchment bags to make decorative highlights with small amounts of icing, then discard each bag when it's empty. We recommend using a new parchment bag after each use.
The Coupler, and How It WorksUsing a two-part device called a coupler lets you interchange several decorating tips without changing the bag. The two parts of the coupler are the base and the ring. The base fits inside the bag, then you put the decorating tip of your choice over the portion of the coupler that sticks out of the bag. When you screw the ring on, you've locked the decorating tip onto the coupler and bag. |
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Featherweight & Disposable BagsThese bags can be used with or without a coupler. To use without a coupler, cut about 3/4 in. off tip of Disposable Bag (Featherweight Bag is ready to use). Simply drop the decorating tip you want into the bag with the narrow end of the tip down. If using Cake Icer Tip 789, you will need to use a 16 OR 18 in. Featherweight bag and will need to trim the bag to fit the tip. |
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Featherweight BagsA new Featherweight bag will have to be trimmed with scissors to accommodate the coupler base. First, twist the ring off the coupler base. Drop the coupler base, narrow end first, into the bag and push as far down as you can. With a pen or pencil, mark the spot on the outside where the bottom thread is outlined against the bag material. Push the coupler back up into the bag, and cut across where you have made the mark.Push the coupler base back down through the bag opening. One thread should be showing. |
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Choose the decorating tip you want to use and slip it onto the coupler base. Now twist the coupler ring over the tip, locking it in place. Changing decorating tips is easy: Twist off the ring, replace with new tip, then screw the ring back on. |
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Disposable Plastic BagsUnscrew coupler ring. Notice that the threads in the coupler base start about 1/2 in. above the tip. Push the coupler base into the bag as far down as possible. With scissors, trim bag about 1/4 in. below bottom edge of coupler. Position decorating tip over coupler base and bag. Screw ring in place to secure. To change decorating tips, unscrew ring, replace decorating tip and screw on ring. |
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Filling The BagThe most important thing to remember is don't overfill, or icing may squeeze out the wrong end. The right amount of icing to start with is about 1/2 cup. Fold down the top to form a generous cuff, and hold the bag beneath the cuff. Use your spatula to fill the bag with approximately three tablespoons of icing at a time. |
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To remove icing from the spatula, hold the bag on the outside between the thumb and fingers. Then pull the spatula out of the bag, using the bag and your fingers to squeeze the icing off. |
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Closing the BagUnfold the cuff and twist the bag closed, forcing the icing down into the bag. You can make sure you've released any air trapped in the bag by squeezing some of the icing out of tip into the bowl. This is called "burping" the bag. |
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Holding The BagTo hold the Featherweight and Disposable bag, place the twist in the V between your thumb and forefinger. Remember that it's important to be able to apply pressure with all your hand. Fatigue in any one finger may signal a problem in your grip. While you're decorating, it will help if you steady the tip of the bag with one or two fingers of your other hand. This helps support the weight of the bag. |
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