Ok, so I am practicing on a dummy cake. Trying to learn new techniques. I have seen this skirting on many beautiful cakes and want to learn how to do it. This is what I have so far, any pointers, or am I just doing it all wrong? TIA

That looks great! Are they strips or on long piece of fondant?

It is several long pieces (approx. 8" x 10") that I have folded in the middle to give it a pleated look.

I've never treid it, but it looks great! Now I'm curious how you're laying them and sticking them down.

Since I am just practicing, they are not attached yet, but will use RI or just water to attach them when I get the right look. I rolled out my fondant, then formed the pleat, then bunched up the top and layed them on the cake, I have tried to hide the edge of the next one on each one, but not very good at that part yet. I am sure there is an easier/better way, hopefully someone who has done it will post how they have done it and it will all make sense. HA!

Funny, you came on here for advice and we all love what you did and we are trying to get advice from you.

That's how we all learn. I love Cake Central.

Echooo3, Yep, that is what I love about CC too, everyone is always so helpful. I am originally from Leesburg, grew up not too far from where you are.

Finished, I wish that it had crisper pleats, but oh well. I sprayed it with Edible Pearl, my camera sucks, putting that on the Xmas list. Wow, I really wish someone else that has done this would come on and give me some pointers.

pleats look GREAT...

after all -- do you want it to look like some OCD person came long with an iron and gave it razor crisp pleats???

fabric is soft and flowing and rounded -- just like what you've accomplished here.

GREAT JOB!

By crispier do you mean stand out on their own more? Did you use straight fondant? If you mixed in gum-tex, tylose or gumpaste, it would have helped hold the shape more rather than molding to what was under it.

I think your pleats look spectacular just like they are.

Thank you guys and gals,

Doug, you are not only helpful when it comes to designing hexagon cutting guides for me, you are just down right nice. OCD, well you got me, I'm working on that one.

TexasSugar, yes, that is kind of what I wanted, so will try some tylose next time, I think I might have pushed the center pleat in too close to the dummy.

Thanks again everyone, I appreciate you help and opinions.

I think you did a great job. My only suggestion would have been to let it puddle at the bottom.

hamie, I agree, next time I am going to allow more for the pillowing at the bottom, what do you think, just tuck the fondant up under its edge to achieve that look? I am picturing several ways to do it, what would be the best? This self-teaching yourself is definitley a trial and error thing.

Wow hamie, I love the round cake with the draping in your gallery, gonna try that technique next I think!

It looks great!!! You can teach me now!

they look great! maybe a little more wavy?

Ok, got the whole dummy cake finished, did a different technique on each tier. Learned a lot on this one, especially the "what not to do's" Fondant Pearls, a couple words I don't want to hear for a while, ha! Thanks again everyone for your comments.

Wow! It was certainly worth the effort, wasn't it? What a beautiful cake!

very nice.

so elegant!

Oh. so lovely!!!
Your pleats turned out just lovely!

Fondant pearls..so agree with never wanting to hear those words for awile after making my very first wedding cake.

316 of them, I think...ugh.

Where did you get the edible pearl spray, if you don't mind me asking? It sounds like it might be easier that painting on pearl dust

ed'td for spelling

I believe the only thing you did wrong is it is on a cake dummy! How are you going to eat that lovely creation now?

Beautiful work. Pat yourself on the back. I think it looks great.

Thank you all again, I am sooo proud of this dummy cake, and LindaF you are right, too bad it isn't real. CBmom, I bought the Edible pearl spray from CK Products, It is made by ChefMaster and comes in a 2 oz can. I have also purchased it from www.fondantsource.com, I believe they carry a different brand by PME. Just bought an airbrush so have to learn how to use it now, ha! Thanks again for all the great advice and critique!

Let me just congratulate you again! I see your cake was in one of the top spots of the "Most Saved Cakes" probably not 5 minutes after you posted it. I certainly put it in my favorites the second I saw it!

Can't wait to try this technique....your cake is just beautiful

Marianna46 and mamawrobin- thank you!

I sit here and look at the faux cake, and think "Wow, I did that" and am just so very proud of myself.

I have had a gradual progression of getting more comfortable with fondant, don't know why it scared me in the first place, but it did!

So everyone keep the tutorials, advice and tips a coming!

WOW! This cake is beautiful. The drapes look spectacular after you got the whole cake together. Great job!