Can someone share with me any tips you may have on how to roll fondant or gumpaste out in thin, round rope-like strips. I know some use an extruder for this but I don't have one. I can't seem to keep the same thickness and it slides all over the place....Thanks!!

I would buy an extruder, the craft stores carry different brands and some aren't expensive. i bought a smaller one for $10, and i found it works just fine for ropes and making shapes. I doubt you will be able to roll it thin enough by hand, and if you do,it won't be uniform in size. HTH.

you can also use a cake smoother. Just gently use the cake smoother instead of your hand its not as good as an extruder but better than just a hand hth

Not sure itll give you the width you would need. But, I"ve been told to use 2 dowel rods and roll the fondant between them.

Good Luck.......

fondant smoother works great for even ropes, clay extruder is great for thin ropes but won't give you thicker ones

I have both an extruder and a smoother, and find I use the smoother most. It's much better than just using your hands.. a smoother gives an even shape.

Do you thin the fondant to get it through the extruder?

Edna uses a really good technique in this video. HTH

Thanks mugabug! That's a neat way to roll out fondant without an extruder and without getting irregularity and finger marks in the fondant!

This is a good site to get mold impressions from http://www.firstimpressionsmolds.com/bordersandropes.aspx
Hope that helps it cuts your time by more then half and you have time to make other things for the cake!!

I made an extruder using pvc pipe and a dowel to push it thru. You can drill a hole the size of rope you need. Just cost a few dollars to make one. I have added shortening to the fondant to soften or heated the fondant for a few seconds, that helps also.

I just use my hands and have had no problem at all so far.... start with a saussage shape, place it on a clean marble top or granite top counter, place your palms on either side of the saussage and roll it back and forth while gently stretching the fondant outwards at the same time...be careful not to stretch too fast or too much.

To add to Sheena's advice, if you roll your fondant next to a dowel the size you want the rope to be, it will help to keep it even.

You can also lay a cake board over it and roll it back and forth. It will help work it larger with out the thin or finger spots.

So many great tips! Thanks!