Top 10 Must-Haves
by Dara Waitkus
Top 10 Must-Have Tips and tools for Piping Realistic Buttercream Flowers
Piping tips, piping tips, piping tips—there are SO many piping tips! The same can be said for tools. Sometimes I feel like I’m drowning in a sea of everything, desperately searching for the one magical tip to rescue me from buttercream chaos. And let’s be honest, most of them are meh. Actually, most are garbage.
In my toolkit, I stick to a handful of tried-and-true tips—the ones that produce flowers so stunning you’ll want to plant them in your garden. So what are these miracle workers? I’ll spill all the buttercream tea, but first, a quick reminder: buttercream flower piping does require some tools, but you don’t need everything under the sun. I’m a minimalist at heart—I use and keep only what’s truly necessary.
Ready? Let’s pull back the buttercream curtain and reveal the essential tools and tips behind those show-stopping blooms!
1. Ateco 124k – The Petal Powerhouse
This tip is the VIP of petal creation. Its thin, long opening pipes translucent petals so lifelike you’ll swear they’re ready to bloom. It might take some practice to master, especially if you’re used to thicker, shorter tips like the Wilton 104, but trust me, it’s worth every buttercream smudge on your apron.
What can you pipe? What can’t you pipe? This beauty is your go-to for roses, Juliet roses, carnations, marigolds, and begonias. It’s the ultimate multi-petal piper for flower piping enthusiasts!
2. Wilton 4B – The Unsung Hero
The Wilton 4B is like the behind-the-scenes chef—rarely noticed but absolutely essential. It’s the foundation for so many buttercream flowers and a tool I refuse to pipe without.
What can you pipe? Need a strong base for 3D flowers? Or maybe a few flat ones? The 4B’s got you covered. Try piping a Juliet rose without it, and you’ll find yourself floundering faster than butter in the sun.
3. Wilton or PP 349 – The Detail Dynamo
This tip is all about the finer things in flower piping life—tiny petals, seeds, and intricate details. The PP 349, a twin to the elusive Wilton 349, is the unsung hero of precision work.
What can you pipe? It’s perfect for creating mum centers that look like they’re straight out of a flower shop. Bonus: it’s also great for Red Clovers, a fantastic flower for beginners.
You can find this tool here.
4. Wilton or PP 366 – The Leaf Legend
Leaves might not steal the spotlight, but without them, your buttercream flowers look incomplete. The 366 tip pipes leaves that are perfectly proportional to your blooms—no tiny, awkward foliage here!
What can you pipe? Gorgeous leaves, of course! Plus, it’s amazing for poinsettias and sunflowers, making it a true MVP for holiday designs.
5. Extra-Large Flower Piping Nail & Block – Your Floral Foundation
Piping without an extra large flower nail is like trying to eat cereal with a fork. Technically possible, but why would you? The extra surface area helps with control and balance while you pipe, making it easier to create flawlessly realistic flowers. Think of the block as your flower’s red carpet. It holds your nail while you take a breather, adjust your technique, refill your piping bag, or snap that Insta-worthy shot.
Best part about this duo? You can fit any flower onto this nail with ease. The smooth twirling action lets you achieve petals so perfect they’ll make anyone do a double-take and ask if they are real. The block doubles as a photo stage for those quick snaps to show off your work. The extra lift it gives the flower gives the background a beautiful blur. Practical and photogenic!
6. Scissor Flower Lifters – The Floral Rescue Squad
You’ve just piped a masterpiece, but now what? Without a flower lifter, getting it off the nail is like defusing a buttercream bomb. Enter the trusty scissor lifter! The Block is the unsung hero of the duo.
Best part about this tool? They’re lightweight but strong enough to lift even the chunkiest flowers without a hitch.
You can find this tool here.
7. Piping Bags – The Silent Workhorse
A good piping bag is essential—bad ones will betray you mid-pipe, exploding buttercream all over your masterpiece. After trying countless brands, I’ve landed on a favorite, and they’re even included in my piping kits. You can find my fav piping bags here.
Best part about this tool? Durable, affordable, and utterly dependable. No more mid-pipe disasters!
You can find this tool here.
8. A Damp Towel or Paper Towel – The Clean-Up Crew
Buttercream build-up on your tip is the enemy of clean, precise petals. Keeping a damp towel or paper towel nearby helps you keep your tip pristine while you pipe.
Best part about this tool? It’s magical. Seriously. There is something about a moist tip that makes buttercream flow so much better. My favorite petals usually come after I clean my piping tip. A clean, slightly moist tip makes buttercream flow like a dream and nestle seamlessly against other petals.
9. The Right Kind of Storage – Buttercream’s Best Friend
Want to prep flowers in advance? Rubbermaid Take a longs are a freezer-friendly, space-saving solution that keeps your flowers fresh and freezer-burn-free.
Best part about this tool? Airtight and stackable, they protect your buttercream blooms while maximizing freezer space. You’ll thank me later.
You can find this tool here.
10. The Ultimate Piping Tip Guide
The Ultimate Tip Guide is your go-to reference for piping tips. It features top-down photos of over 100 tips, notes on left- or right-handed tips, and alternate tip options if you don’t have the exact tip you need. In the guide, piping tips are categorized for easy reference, and the guide includes a list of The Piped Peony Academy flowers with the tips needed to pipe them. Everything you need, all in one place!
Best part about this tool? There are 2 pictures for each tip: a top down picture and a front picture, so it makes it easy to see the opening of the tip. The tip substitution list is also a gem!
You can find this tool here.
The Takeaway: With these tips and tools in your arsenal, buttercream flower piping becomes less of a battle and more of a blooming good time. So grab your favorites, clear out the clutter, and let’s go pipe some flowers!
