I’m the first to admit that I don’t have great handwriting, but when I pipe the letters with a cornet, they turn out pretty well. In culinary school, we practiced how to properly pipe by writing the alphabet in Gothic script every day for weeks.
Piping well is something that takes a lot of repetition. Don’t give up—it takes time to develop the right kind of accuracy and consistency needed to pipe.
1. The open top of the piping bag should always be folded over your hand so that you can fill it without getting the top part of the bag dirty.
2. If you’re using a tip, always make sure the tip fits snugly into the bottom of the bag before filling it.
3. Don’t overfill the bag. You’ll have more control when your hand is closer to the tip.
4. Always twist the open top of the bag to make sure the material you’re piping doesn’t spill out.
5. Use your free hand to steady the tip while you squeeze with the hand holding the bag.
6. When you are done piping the shape, release the pressure and quickly pull up, turning your wrist slightly at the same time.
7. Piping at a 90-degree angle always gives you better control and a more even shape.
8. If you aren’t very confident when it comes to piping freehand, you can make guide marks on the piece of parchment paper you’re piping onto. Just remember to turn the paper over so that the ink or pencil is on the reverse side.