Those of you that make bows, do you have tried and true measurements you use when constructing a bow? I'm wanting to experiment and wondering how long and wide I should make my fondant ribbons.

I measure mine to my cakes. Wilton has a pattern in their third class book but it was too wide and not long enough for my heart cake. (My first ribbon.) So now I just measure with a string.

Depends on the size of the cake it's going on... If I'm doing a bow for a 6" cake I will cut my strips 6" so the loop will be 3" long on the bottom row of the bow. For the next row I cut my strips 5.5", and then for the next row I cut then 5" and so on... I don't like having all my bow loops the same length. There's a 1/2" difference in the bow loop lenghth for each row. I also use a 6" board to put my bow together on...That way I know it will fit perfectly on the cake.

Also, experiment with the width of your strips..I prefer wider bow loops. I just think it looks more natural...It also gives a different look

I just made the bow for Wiltons course 3 package cake. The bottom ribbon, that lays flat on the cake was 1 1/2 inches wide and long enogh to span the top and sides of the cake. The Streamers, the v shaped pieces that come out from the bow are about 5 1/2 - 6 inches long and 1 1/2 inches wide. The loop part of the bow is abour=t 5 1/2 - 6 inches long and 1 1/2 inches wide. the center of the bow is 2 1/2 - 3 inches long and 1 1/2 inches wide.

Hope this helps. Heres a pic of how it turned out.

Which type of bow are you making?? puffy bow or dress bow??

I was actually asking about the puffy bow but I appreciate ALL information. That dress bow looks great Euphoria! This all helps ALOT. Didn't even think about making each layer a little shorter Tami. So another question for you. Do you use a certain amound of loops for each layer? I'll have to go look at one of your bows and see if I can count!

Oh LisaMS, the same for the puffy bow. You don't want it too big nor too small. Use a little strip of paper and loop it. Hold it over the pan turned upside down to get an idea of the loop size that would work. Then make about 22 (and up)loops.....making sure that the bowl you use to assemble them in the puddle of royal icing isn't bigger then the pan you used for the cake......Hope that helps.

Thanks guys. Very helpful.

Well, I made the loops tonight; according to your directions Tami. We'll see how it goes when I try to put it together in a couple of days. Hopefully I won't be too embarrassed to post it. Thanks for all the help everyone.

Just put my bow together! I'm pleased! Thanks so much y'all. Feel like I've accomplished something (with help!) Now I need a cake for it to go on.

You did a super job on your bow! Very pretty.

that is a great bow for the first time!! congratulations

Great job!

Love your bow and thanks for all your help!

Best,

Great job, Lisa... It's beautiful!!

Great job! Beautiful bow!

Thanks y'all! I had such a failure with trying to cover a cake with this stuff the other day that it's nice to have a success!

Very pretty!

That's a BEAUTIFUL bow - especially for the first one. My first one ended up in the trash. It was horrible. The loops are very thin. Do most of you make your loops that thin? I think that was one of my bow's problems. It was too fat and clunky.

I was using fondant - and the loops were so heavy they were pulling themselves out of shape on the dowel. Just ONE of the problems I had. I'm going to give it another shot with gumpaste.

Wow! Way cool! I hated fiddling with that dowel! I love making "real" bows out of ribbon like this, so it's been very frustrating that I couldn't do this in sugar. Thanks for the tip!

I did notice that Tami! (that yours appeared more natural looking) Wondered if you just dried them on their sides. The dowel IS a pain. LOL I was surprised I was able to get my fondant loops so thin without them breaking. I'm not sure I could have dried them on their sides though. I used my pasta machine on #4...got the pasta machine from overstock.com from a recommend here...$30. I think that helped me get my loops a nice thick/thinness.

(Your bows are gorgeous Tami. I've admired them before!)

Very pretty bow Lisa. It definitely doesn't look like a "first bow"!!!!!!!!!

I love all of your bows!! My first-and last-one was a miserable failure. I sent it straight to the trash! I have been afraid to do another one ever since!! Maybe I will give it another try this weekend. You all are doing such great things!!

Tanya