Honestly, the absolutely easiest way to make fondant ropes is to use a clay gun. Clay King sells some big ones, but I am not at all happy with the model that I have (the medium size one).
For all of my fondant ropes, I use the Makin's Ultimate Clay Extruder. That thing very easily extrudes out beautifully even ropes of fondant darn near effortlessly. Here's the link to where you can buy one online: http://www.craftsetc.com/store/item.aspx?ItemId=61576
If you want to do them by hand, I recommend using a large piece of fondant with either some gumpaste or Tylose added in, and then rolling a big fat snake. Take a cardboard cake circle and use that for rolling the snake thinner and thinner until you have a rope. The cake circle will help you keep it even and makes rolling it out easier than using your hands.
Just wanted to add that you can get the Makin Clay Gun at Hobby Lobby also. I love mine!
Does anyone know if you can make the ropes in advance, coil them up and store them without them drying out?
Quote by @%username% on %date%
%body%