Hi everyone, im a total gumpaste addict and have used it successfully on figures, bows, lettering etc but when i try to make flowers its always too thick and then if i have it thinner it sticks to the surface or is really flimsy. Also it means that that when i make bows they are pretty thick so i dont get that naturalistic folded look that other people have.

Any tips? i have tried and tried to get it thin but when i think it is thin and cut out for example roses then i realise that it is way too thick and i cant get the petals to frill like they are supposed to.

any advice much appreciated. ps i use fondant (sugar, glucose, gelatine and glycerine mixed with gum tracaganth to make my gumpaste)

I think you are expecting too much
I took a peek at you pix.....they are good. If you go back to what you say is your 1st fondant cake.....then yes, they are thick but the more recent posted pix look really good.
Are you working on a foam pad? Are you using a ball tool to thin/ruffle the edges? Is it a metal one?

I use my pasta machine to get my stuff thin enough.

Pasta machine alllll the way baby! If you want super thin, realistic looking flowers and other goodies, a pasta machine is such a time saver. You get evenly rolled dough everytime!

Jen

Do you use the skinniest setting on a pasta machine or the second skinniest one? It was kinda tricky for me not to have my gum paste all bungled up in it. I have one that hooks on the table, a real old one and boy was glad that I have carted it around with me all these years. Now that I too am addicting to gum paste I have a use for it!

Two words: Pasta Machine!

What I learned about using the pasta machine is to start w/the widest opening; pass the gp thru it 3 times before going on to the next thinnest setting; continue like this until it is as thin as you can get but this time pass the gp thru 7 times.

I'm gonna try that tonight! I always get in a big hurry and end up with a mess, Thanks

You will find the gumpaste will want to ripple when fed through the pasta machine, that's normal. Just keep feeding it and it will straighten out.

And if it's in your budget, get a KitchenAid pasta roller attachment. I used a hand-crank pasta machine for years before biting the bullet and buying a KA pasta roller. It beats the pants off a hand-crank machine.

thanks everyone, will have to look into pasta machines!