Hi. I am a fairly newbie to cake decorating. I want to make a cake that is surrounded in a fondant burlap looking sack. I have never worked with fondant. I want the sack to be open on the top. Will MMF do that or should I buy pre-made fondant? It will be a banana coconut cake with coconut cream filling covered in what will look like a burlap sack and tied with a fondant rope. In the top opening I would like to perhaps mix some of the filling with whipping cream and then top it with toasted coconut. I found a candy melt mold in the shape of a scoop. Should I make that in white candy melt and then paint with lustre dust? How would I get the burlap texture in the fondant? Could I roll it over that cushion/carpet non-slip stuff? So many questions....sorry. Newbie to this.... starting Wilton 3 next week.
I've never used MMF, so I can't speak to that.
When you apply the fondant to the cake, it will be soft. Use little pieces of foam to support the open top until it firms up. A foam chair pad is $2 at the fabric store.
When you make your fondant rope, let it rest for a couple of minutes to firm up before trying to attach it to your cake, otherwise it may stretch and break. Don't wait too long, tho... or it will crack!
For the burlap look, you can buy a piece of plastic canvas from the needlework section of the craft store and, as JoAnn suggested, roll out your fondant, then press the texture on with a rolling pin. Be sure to dust the canvas with some cornstarch or powdered sugar OR lightly grease it (not both!) so it doesn't stick to your fondant. I prefer cornstarch, myself.
I don't really understand what you want to do with the scoop mold.
Thank you! My bag won't be as big. Just a little one to go around the cake. Yes, definitely need to support it while it sets up a bit. Love the idea of the plastic canvas.... I was thinking of this rubbery stuff I use to keep my mattress from sliding....
I found a scoop candy mold.... if I use white candy melts can I use silver lustre dust to paint it?
I am thinking of something like this santa bag I saw in the galleries here. It had a red fondant bag with a tie around it. It was painted red with gold scroll work and toys on top. Not sure who made it. It was in contest so it didn't say whose it was..... Mine would obviously be more casual... burlap look with wrope laying around it (not like a handle) an open top with some topping on the cake and then some toasted coconut and a silver scoop stuck in it. Just ideas.....
Kinda like this but more casual and maybe different shape....
http://cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=coppermine&file=displayimage&meta=favpics&cat=0&pos=-94082
If I was doing this, what I would do is color the fondant to the right color, like light brown or beige, roll it out, then press a fabric that you bought from the fabric store that has the burlap grain or texture on the fondant, lay it over the fondnat to make the "fabric" impression using a marble rolling pin, then from there shape your "sack". 
I guess more like a country store bag full of beans or something with a scoop in it..... Just mine will have toasted coconut with scoop in it.
OHHHHHHH!!!! *smacking forehead* a SCOOP! Geez... you wouldn't believe what I was thinking.....
Anyway, if you want to mold a scoop, I'd recommend tinting your chocolate gray. Then, either brush on the luster dust dry or mix with some grain alcohol or vodka and paint on. Or, ideally, mix with some melted cocoa butter and paint on.
If I was doing this, what I would do is color the fondant to the right color, like light brown or beige, roll it out, then press a fabric that you bought from the fabric store that has the burlap grain or texture on the fondant, lay it over the fondnat to make the "fabric" impression using a marble rolling pin, then from there shape your "sack".
I'd be hesitant to endorse that idea. The fabric will transfer lint to the fondant. Plus, textile factories usually have their fair share of vermin. Given the choice between rat feces and laundry detergent residue on my fondant, I'd rather use the plastic canvas. 
Lots of fabulous ideas. I really appreciate them. Not gel colors right? Powdered ones for the white candy melts and then silver lustred dust? Gonna check out the plastic canvas thing. If something had a good texture though... maybe I could use saran wrap between but then I would have wrinkles from that. How to hold open/up the neck of the bag til it sets. Ok to droop here and there as a bag would but not lay flat.... Did you see the Santa bag? Wish I knew who did it....
What I found works best for a burlap effect is the no-skid shelf liner that we put under the cake boards when we transport our cakes. Get a roll of it at the dollar store and impress it into the fondant before applying to the cake. Smooth the fondant out by pressing a sponge to it, no rubbing.
Now, tell me more about this banana coconut cake? Can you send me a slice? You do know that I am one of the self-appointed official tasters for CC, right? If you do not have a bubble wrap envelope, then just send me the recipe.
Theresa
Yes, please send the recipe when you have a chance. I would love to try it out.
Theresa
Lots of fabulous ideas. I really appreciate them. Not gel colors right? Powdered ones for the white candy melts and then silver lustred dust? Gonna check out the plastic canvas thing. If something had a good texture though... maybe I could use saran wrap between but then I would have wrinkles from that. How to hold open/up the neck of the bag til it sets. Ok to droop here and there as a bag would but not lay flat.... Did you see the Santa bag? Wish I knew who did it....
Right, no gel colors in candy melts. Get some black candy color. Whenever I use powdered color in my chocolate, it leaves specks.
<<How to hold open/up the neck of the bag til it sets.>>
That's what the pieces of foam are for. You'll need to place the foam on top of your cake, butted up against the fondant. Foam leaves the least amount of mess on top of your cake. After about 15 minutes, the fondant should be firm enough to stand on its own. Don't mess with it, though. It needs a good couple of hours to really hold its shape. You can either cut small pieces of foam or cut out one whole circle.
The bag will naturally droop wherever you DON'T prop it up against the foam.
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