I am going to try Purse cake, and I am not sure how to carve it and cover it with fondant. I am going to use 2 8x8 cake pans. Cut each in middle, so I should end up with a rectangle. Now Should I carve the last (top) layer only or should I go further. About 1 inch?? And should I carve the sharp edges or leave it, and carve only sides?
When done carving. I would like to cover with fondant each side separately (as I am not comfortable to do it in one piece), how should I measure each side? With template or by eye and cut out the overlaps when on the cakes??? Would you help?
PS: I read instruction of round cake purse, but it sound too mall, so that's why I am going to use 8x8 pan. Thank you!

I am on my own

No, you're not alone, I'm making my first Coach purse cake tonight too....it's for my DD's 21st b-day.

I baked 2- 7" x 11" cakes and I'm planning on stacking and carving them and doing a purse laying on it's side....then covering in ganache and fondant....I'll then hand paint on the "C" logos.

Good luck to you....wish me luck too!

I've done a purse cake using two 8" squares cut in half. Mine ended up kind of box-y looking, not like a rectangle. I carved in at the top of both sides, but didn't do it enough, I guess.

To cover, I wrapped my fondant around, so I had a seam in the back. This cake wasn't made for anyone, just for fun or I would've taken better care to make sure the seam was at one of the back corners and not in the center.

You can see it here: http://www.cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=1464846

I have read that even when using a template for the different pieces, they never end up being completely accurate, so you still have to trim the fondant to fit.

dkelly good luck with your project. I went ahead and finished my first handbag. I think it looks OK, but wish I could do a cleaner job. I am not that often working with fondant, so covering the handbag was a bit problem, I did it in a sections and had not clean edges, which I try co hide with the black stripes, but still it is visible.
Thank you for answering my post.
http://www.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-photos-by-ZlatkaT.html

Zlatka....that cake came out great....I love the tie dye effect! Happy Birthday to you!

Here's mine.....

http://www.cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=1509921

I ran out of time and didn't get to add all the details I wanted, like stitching and accessories. Oh well, it's for my DD I hope she likes it.

dkelly
nicely done! Wow that must have been a lot of work.
And it sounds to yummy....is the filling recipe around?

Thanks Zlatka!

For the filling I just added some peanut butter and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups to my regular buttercream (which is Sugarshack's recipe except I use 1/2 butter and 1/2 hi-ratio) It's really yummy.