I know the process as I've watched a million and one videos on this but what my question is how well in advance should I make this the bow and ribbons. This if for a square cake. Also how do I attatch the side ribbons on? How long should they stay looking good on top. I'd have for them to go flat or worst the ones on the sides to fall off.

I never use MMF for bows, it is great for covering cakes, but I do not have good luck with it holding a shape. I use 50/50 wilton/gumpaste or wilton with tylose for bows.

is it a traditional bow (a loop on each side & center) or loopy bow? the ones on the sides you can attach with candy melts or royal icing. as long as they've dried well to hold their shape they won't go flat.

I add tylose to my MMF and it holds its shape.

Thanks for the advice. I didn't really want to use wiltons as I thought it had a bad taste. Maybe I can add coloring to it. Is the half wiltons and half gumpaste edible and would I be able to add flavor? I know Michael's sells these locally. I don't have time to order.

Loucinda that bow in your pic is beautiful! How did you make it?

Don't worry about the bow tasting good. Nobody every eats those things anyway....except for the kids who pick at the decorations after everything has been cut and served. Kids will eat modeling clay and paste so they'll think it tastes yummy.

I forgot...you attach the side ribbons with a bit of piping gel applied with a brush to the backside of the ribbon. You are talking about a gumpaste ribbon, right?

You might want to attach the bow tails when the bow is already in the cake so that you can place them exactly where you want them.

http://www.cakejournal.com/archives/how-to-make-a-gum-paste-bow/

Igemz - which bow? I have several - white chocolate clay, gelatin, and fondant!