2. Break off a small piece of the sugar substance. With lightly greased hands work the mixture to soften until pliable. A few seconds in a microwave oven can reduce the softening time.
3. Roll the fondant out on a nonstick surface with a rolling pin or use a pasta machine.
The setting on the machine will depend upon the machine, the temperature of your hands, the consistency of the sugar substance and the temperature of the room you are working in. The Pasta machine is used by rolling first at the thickest settings and gradually working up to your desired thin setting (Most decorators use every-other notch while using the thicker settings, and every setting in the thin rolls).
4. Dust both sides of the 2 Piece Lace Press with Cornstarch (Never use confectioners sugar as it is grainy) Shake out any excess.
5. Place the rolled substance on the base, and place the lace insert on top. Using a rolling pin, roll from the center to the top, and again from the center to the bottom. (This is for large designs and does not matter on small presses).
6. Hold down the insert with your fingers and remove the excess sugar substance. Remove the insert, flex the press to remove the lace pattern. (If you have hot hands, or are working in a warm room, or are using a very soft batch of fondant, and are experiences sticking, place the filled, press in the freezer for a couple minutes to firm up the sugar mixture and speed the removal process.)
7. Remove the pressed lace by first removing the silicone insert. Turn the press over and flex the silicone part as the newly made sugar lace separates from the press.
8. Apply to any surface, fondant covering or buttercream. If a "glue" is necessary a small amount of buttercream, thinned royal icing, water, or gumglue (gum arabic HERE & water) may be used. RECIPE: - 2 parts Water and 1 Gum Arabic.
If there is a "TRICK" it is rolling to the correct thickness and using sufficient pressure to obtain the maximum amount of detail. Do not stretch the sugar lace while removing, it destorts the pattern. Use the freezer to firm up the piece before removing if necessary.