I am making two cakes for this weekend (one Saturday and one Sunday), and I need a big, loopy bow for each. I saw the wonderful tutorial here, so I'm hoping I am successful.

Two questions: should I use Michelle Foster's fondant for it, or is Duff's ok? I wanted a chocolate bow, which is why I thought the Fondarific (Duff's) would work, but I hear it's softer than other fondants. So, which do you think I should use? I was planning on kneading in Tylose to the chocolate Duff's if I went that way.

Secondly, when should I have the bow made? How long should it dry before it's needed, in order that the bow loops don't soften and flatten?

Make sure to use the tylose in the fondant and you will have a perfectly dry boy in one day....sometimes sooner depending on the humidity in your area. If you use straight fondant it can take up to a week or more for it to dry.HTH
Cat

Great to know! Thanks! How much Tylose do you add? I don't know if it's 1 tsp or 1 cup!

I used Duffs black. 1 lb fondant with 1 tsp tylose. I mixed Sat night, let sit till Sunday, made loops and left them on their side to dry. They are firmer, but not rock hard today. I have one sitting now to see if gravity will collapse it- after 3 hrs or so, still looks like a loop (I started a thread earlier thinking I might have to completely redo with gumpaste).
So now I have 12 black loops and 12 orange loops (made with Wilton/tylose-firmer than the Duff loops) turned and sitting to see if they are going to stay loopy!

If you want a quick drying bow I suggest pre-made gum paste. I use that for all my bows--and I made a big one for a Christmas cake the day before I delivered it. They can literally dry in hours depending on thickness and humidity. I use Wiltons Gum Paste.

Thanks lcubed82! Let us know how your results turn out!

For decorations that are not going to be eaten, like loopy bows, I usually just use Wilton fondant with 40% off coupon. I make them a night before, stick them in the oven with light on, and they are hard as a rock next morning, ready to be placed on the cake.
Hope it helps, P

Ok, I just now saw these great answers. BEFORE I read most of them, I made the bow loops out of Duff (Fondarific) fondant. I don't need them for a week. Are they going to be dry in time? My original intent was to knead Tylose into the fondant, and of course I forgot to do so. So, it's plain fondant. Am I in trouble?

I use straight Wilton fondant to make my bow loops & it dries within hours & holds its shape no problem.

We have air conditioning on, so the humidity shouldn't be a problem in the house. I can't believe I forgot to add the Tylose - it was sitting there on the counter next to where I was working!