6 Turn the piece over, place on a paper pattern outline to reshape. This is important so that the traced patten will fit in place later.
Slide paste collar onto a flat tray, soften the edges with your finger and leave to dry thoroughly. Repeat these stages making two more collars (one spare!)

7Trace the full pattern onto tracing or greaseproof paper with a non-toxic pencil. Make the outline full so that you can see it clearly from the other side of the paper.

8 Turn the paper over, place on top of a rough piece of paper and retrace the outline. Keep the rough paper underneath otherwise your pattern will be copied onto the table.

9 Carefully place the greaseproof pencil pattern on top of the collar and go over details with non-toxic pencil to transfer design to the paste.
Check everything is marked or pencil in any missing parts.

10 Place cellophane over the practice pieces on the pattern sheet and secure with masking tape. Smooth a little white vegetable fat on cellophane over the leaves and Christmas rose.

11 Using small icing bags, cut 0.5in (1cm) off point and insert No.1 nozzle. Mix a teaspoon of piping gel to the soft peak royal icing, this will allow you to brush the piped icing for a little while, without it obtaining a crisp outer skin.