Hi everybody!
I have some fairly new butterfly patchwork cutters and they're giving me problems. Most of my butterflies lose their wings once they've dried, either when I pick them up or when I'm attaching them to the cake. Is there any way I can add stability to the wings?

When I cut them out I try to put pressure on the outside edges but keep it minimal on the center elements to leave them a little thicker. This seems to help but after they've dried a bit they're still so fragile.

If anybody has a good trick, I'd really love to hear it.

Thanks! (and my poor army of wingless butterflies thanks you too!)

Jenny

When I use my patchwork cutters,I use 50/50 fondant & gumpaste. I find using straight gumpaste makes the items really brittle.Take a little longer for them to dry,but no breakage & they are edible.

here is a tutorial that uses the patchwork cutters that actually shows what to do with the breaking, lol! what are the odds, lol. i love this blog, they always have the best things!

http://sugarteachers.blogspot.com/2009/06/how-to-make-sugarpaste-butterfly.html

diane

Thanks! Those are great tips. I'll try the 50/50 mix next time. And the technique in the blog looks promising - I had been wondering how to attach them to wire, anyway!

Thanks again!

Jenny