Is the top of a graduation cap of a cake make out of gumpaste or pastillage?

I made mine with a mixture of gum paste and fondant.... more gum paste though since I wanted it hard enough so the ends will stay straight.

Thanks for asking this question cause I needed to know too!!! Do you do the base as cake or are you making the entire thing as gumpaste? I thought about doing the mini wonder mold as the base but wasnt sure if this was the best method.

So glad you asked this question, I needed to know also, for a cake I have due late May.

CC'ers are absolutely great!!!! Thanks everyone!

I made the top of the cap out of gumpaste to ensure it dries straight and won't sag. The base of the cap I use half of a syrofoam ball and cover in fondant.

If you look at my last pic i made a small grad cap with a mini wonder mold but i made it out of rice crispies instead of baking a small cake i filled it with crispies and popped it out. for the top i put fondant over cardboard. hth

I have made two graduation caps.

For both I used 50/50 gumpaste/fondant for the mortarboard and allowed it to dry for at least a few days. I had to flip it over a few times to allow both sides to dry. You could use only gumpaste.

For the cap, I have done it two ways.
-For the pink/purple cake in my photos I used a cake made from a mini wondermold pan. The mortarboard was attached with buttercream.
-For the pink/black cake in my photos I used the 50/50 and formed it over the bottom of the wondermold pan, trimmed the bottom to level and allowed it to dry. I did not use 100% gumpaste because I was afraid it would shrink and crack over the mold. I dusted the pan with powdered sugar to make sure the 50/50 did not stick. The mortarboard was attached with melted chocolate.

Personally I prefer the cap and board made from fondant/gumpaste. I just think it looks cleaner.

I just made one and I used gumpaste. It hardens really well. Then I brushed the top with 50/50 vodka and light karo syrup which made it look really shiny! Loved the way it turned out!

I used a Pyrex bowl to make the cap and 50/50 fondant - gum paste for the mortar board. You can use cardboard covered with 50/50 also, just make sure you cover the bottom too.

Many thanks to all for all your responses. I really appreciate it.

We made the base of the cap with half of a ball pan. That was covered with fondant. The brim was fondant/gumpaste mixture dried for several days!

Guess i shoulda poured through the forum before i posted.
Thanks everyone for your ideas! I'm not feeling so worried now. I couldn't figure out how to get the mortar board from cracking. i didn't plan well and i don't think the gumpaste will be dry by tomorrow, so i think im going to use thecardboard technique.

Thanks!

I have a grad cake I am making for Sat (6/11). I am planning on making the top of the cap today with fondant and tylose powder. I wanted to give it enough time to dry by next sat.

My question is- dry in the fridge wrapped in wax paper, or let it dry on the countertop?

Counter top - uncovered (or it won't dry) (I put a paper towel over it to keep dust off)