Well I've been trying to make one of these great shoes that everyone does and I've not had any luck. I've been making them a bit smaller then normal just to practice. Maybe about 3/4 normal size.

The gumpaste keeps stretching when I try to move it. So the shoe ends up looking long and thin. Am I going to thin? How thick should it be?

Also, when I add the top on and put the saran wrap in there the shoe goes all wrinkled no matter how much I try to keep it smooth. What am I doing wrong?

My heal looks stupid and I finally gave up.

HELP! Any tips?

Anyone???? I know there are tons of you who have made beautiful shoes.

hey joanne

is there anyway you could maybe let the gum paste dry a bit before you cut the pattern and try to put the shoe together.... i find my shoes turn out better when the fondant/gum paste is stiffer or gone a bit firmer... does that make sense....lol

As for the heel, just keep shaping and playing until you get the look you want, it helps to let the heel dry a bit first so that it holds everything up...

hope i have helped a little

kylie

Yep, after you cut out the form of the shoe, let the gumpaste dry a bit, before you try moving it, not too long, you still want to shape it a bit, but not so that it becomes thinner. Needs a bit of patience. The heel, I cheat and insert a toothpick to make it firmer and straight.

Have a look in the articles section under "how to make a gum paste shoe" Nati has set out the same in step by step instructions and although I haven't done one yet I think it should help.

Anna

It sounds to me like your paste is too soft. Try adding a bit more CMC, gum trag or whatever it is you use to stiffen it up a bit. If you find the saran wrap is causing bumps then you've probably rolled your paste a little too thin, it doesn't need to be really thin, like you would need it to be for flower, because it needs to keep it's shape. As for the heel, If I'm making mine really high, I put some support into it, like a piece of dry spaghetti.

Thanks guys. I was moving and trying to set it up right away so it wouldn't dry first. I will try to let it sit a bit first so it won't stretch so much. I just love these darling shoes and want so badly to get them down.

Once I do I'm planing on making all different kinds. So keep your fingers crossed for me. Thanks.

I have one of the small fondant rollers with the purple bands. I think it is about 1/8 of an inch thick.

I also let the gumpaste dry a bit on both sides before attaching the top part of the shoe, so mine didn't wrinkle at all.

Other than that I pretty much followed Nati's tutorial. Don't get discouraged, practice makes perfect.

I don't have any tips sorry! I just wanted to add , that every time I've use gum paste it looks wrinkled. I must not be doing it right!!!!!!!!!