I'm making a Viking Ship..and have seen posts about using rice paper for sails...can I use an icing sheet instead, or is that the same thing?
Do I skewer the thing?? How do I paint the stripes on it?
Anyone have any clue how to do this?
You could use frosting sheets if you attached them to something like fondant but they wouldn't stand on their own. Wafer/rice paper would work. I've never painted on it but I've seen that done. I have colored on it with edible markers and that works well. Wafer paper is somewhat flexible but also fragile so you'd have to be very careful with the skewers. What about using card stock or printer paper and just printing the sails out?
Thanks for the suggestions Lisa...I know paper would work but wanted to use something edible...I might try your fondant suggestion...maybe a 50/50..thin with an image of the stripes on it??
I would really appreciate if you could let me know how this cake works out for you and I would love to see the photo. I am wanting to do a sailboat cake and have been wondering how I could do the sails. I too have a thing about doing cakes all edible or as edible as possible.
Check out the sailboat cake on this site:
http://www.careylake.com/cakeimages.htm
Angiecakes
Boy that sail sure looks like it is made of gumpaste and or fondant...
I would really appreciate if you could let me know how this cake works out for you and I would love to see the photo. I am wanting to do a sailboat cake and have been wondering how I could do the sails. I too have a thing about doing cakes all edible or as edible as possible.
Check out the sailboat cake on this site:
http://www.careylake.com/cakeimages.htm
Angiecakes
Boy that sail sure looks like it is made of gumpaste and or fondant...
Was taught sugarcraft by the person who creates for this business, so I know the sails are gumpaste. I will have to forward her the link to this thread. I know she will enjoy the reference.
Thank you!!..We love to give credit where it is due..and maybe she will post and give us some pointers!!!! 
BTW...did you see the sails on Karen's ship? They're fantastic!
http://cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-28375-.html
I'm thinking you are right...I'm also trying to think about how to dry them.....I'll probably put holes in , dry,and then insert the skewer..unless my old brain can figure how to skewer them wet and then dry them..I want it to "billow"...
Oh they are wonderful!!!....love the detailing she did. 
Thank you Lisa, Ihatefondant! I'm blushing here!
ihatefondant, I posted the details of how I did the sails in the Pirate ship thread.
I wish I could have made them edible too, but the party was on a beach, and the temperature was a blistering 41 degrees.
I did consider rice paper, but couldn't find it here, in Chennai, India. Another option would be really thin gumpaste with tylose powder added. But if you live in an area of high humidity, (as I do) that too may eventually result in drooping sails.
All the best,
Karen
Thanks Karen!!
I've got enough "stuff" drooping here already..don't need to add my sails to it. 
Quote by @%username% on %date%
%body%