ESSENTIALS: STITCHY TOOL

Welcome to the Essentials series, where I share my go-to bits of cake kit.

In these posts, you’ll discover the unsung heroes and must-have items that make novelty cake making just that little bit easier.

When I first started out, I had no idea what to buy. So in this series, I’m sharing the tools I couldn’t do without — from nifty cutters and moulds to simple gadgets that take the hassle out of clean-up. I’ve got you covered!

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ITEM: Stitchy Tool (not its proper name)

PRICE: £3.00 - £6.00

MANUFACTURER / RETAILER: Various

I first sought out this little gadget when I was working on my very first handbag cake (quite a while ago now!)

The tiny plastic stitch wheel attachment found at the end of standard sugar tools just wasn’t cutting it (no pun intended). It worked fine for small areas like cupcakes, but when it came to adding accurate stitching to larger, more detailed projects, I needed something with a little more clout.

This tool isn’t specific to cake decorating – it actually has a range of uses, from perforating paper to working with embroidery and leather. If you’re looking to get one, the good news is they’re inexpensive and widely available. If you fancy getting one, try searching for tracing wheel or embroidery serrated wheel. They seem to be called a lot of different things.

Amazon and eBay are great places to start. I don’t publish direct links, as so many sellers offer them, and prices change all the time. So, it’s worth having a quick search to find a good deal - at time of writing, you can easily pick one up for around a fiver.

Many come with a wooden handle like mine, while others feature a bright plastic handle. But the wheel itself is pretty much the same. There’s also a variant I bought with a much chunkier (usually navy blue) handle, which, although it has a smoother wheel, I found a bit tricky to work with, especially around curves or corners.

Why I Love It:

These tools are brilliant for adding eye-catching detail – and not just to handbags. They’re perfect for:

• Stitched seams on clothing for figures

• Piping detail on edible shoes

• Upholstery lines on fondant furniture

• Edging effects on "fabric", such as tablecloths or cushions

• Quilting patterns

  
  

These are small additions that take very little time to add, but make a big difference – bringing texture, interest and a touch of kooky character to your work.

Here are just a few examples of where my stitchy tool came in very handy...

Quick Tips for Using a Stitchy Tool:

• Don’t press too hard: Do a few practice runs on scrap sugar paste before working on your finished piece – it helps you get a feel for the amount of pressure needed.

• Keep your distance from the edge: If you're working close to an edge (like in my puppy blanket example above), leave a small gap between the edge of the paste and the stitched line. If you go too close, the pressure can change your nice straight edge into a rather wobbly one.

• Stay vertical around curves: When working around curved areas, keep the tool upright – if you tilt or start leaning the tool, your stitches can go wonky or end up misshapen.

• Other Uses: This tool also has plenty of non-stitchy uses too. I’ve used it to create snail trails, textures for food and stonework, and to mark the flight path of a buzzing bee, to name a few examples. So, it's perfect for adding little finishing touches to all kinds of themed novelty cakes.

Have a cake problem?

Struggling with a certain technique?

Let me know in the comments!