Morning!
I made a batch of gumpaste at home, everything appears to be fine, texture, color. However, when I cut it out and try to use the tools to feather it or shape the edges, it tears so easily! And I've made gumpaste flowers before using the pre-made mix from Wilton, so I know how much pressure to use.
Then when I try to shape the petals, they collapse very easily. So it's not holding it's shape.
Has anyone bought the Wilton can of gumpaste where you just add the water to it? With the coupon, it'll end up coming out to $3 and I know the premade with the 40% coupon comes out to $4.80. So I'm trying to figure out the expense of making homemade compared to just buying it.
Thank you!
Try kneading in some glycerin, just small amounts at a time until it gets to a smoother consistency.
Personally, I don't like Wilton gumpaste. I use fondant mixed with Tylose (not Wilton fondant). 
When this version is too stiff I add a little bit of glycerin or even some gum glue. My gum glue is a thick mixture of water and Tylose.
HTH
Michele
wow! I was just looking at all your beautiful pictures, and lo and behold, you responded!
I see you're coming to Texas, what part? I'm in Houston.
Now, will the glycerin make it stretchable?
So you don't use pure gumpaste? You mix it with fondant? I tried mixing it with some fondant, and I couldn't get it as thin as I would just using pure gumpaste.
We will be moving to McKinney next week. I can't wait to get there.
Anyway, I like to use Pettinice fondant to make my gumpaste. I take approximately 1 cup of fondant and knead in about 1 Tbsp. of Tylose (in small amounts) until the gumpaste is "tacky". I then rub shortening over the ball, wrap it twice in plastic wrap, and then store it in a plastic tub. Let it stand overnight. Then it's ready to use.
The glycerin helps to soften it and does help with stretch. My gumpaste is very stiff because I have very warm hands and melt most gumpastes. This also allows me to roll my pieces very thinly without tearing. I know it doesn't make sense, but it works for me.
I'm glad you like my work. It's always nice to hear (or read ).
Michele
thank you Michele for sharing, I'm going to add the glycerin and see what happens. If anything, I can just add the gumpaste I made to my fondant and keep using it for my figurines, it works great then! Just not on flowers!
I purchased a can of the Wilton gumpaste mix and followed the directions. I wound up with the same problem you've shared... I think I'm just going to use it 50/50 with some RBC or MMF so it doesn't go to waste.
I do cookies with RBC and MMF, but I was trying to learn flowers and such with the gumpaste. I haven't delved into the Tylose, glycerin, gumtex world yet... but it looks like I need to! 
I've used the Wilton premade, and I LOVE the way the flowers came out! I was just trying to find a cheaper route, but considering you can make about 50 flowers out of it for under $5 (thats if you use a coupon) I guess it's worth the price.
Thanks for letting me know about the can, I was wondering how that stuff would come out.
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