I am making a Pittsburgh steelers cake..Helmet and of course the Terrible Towel...?? how would you go about getting that textured look of a towel?? I am using MMF

** also If anyone has any tips on doing the image without an edible image printer let me know! (the local store won't do it due to copyright issues ) the plan now is to go at it with food writers!**

I've never tried this, but how about laying cheesecloth over the fondant and pressing the texture into it with a fondant smoother? This is just the first thing that came to mind when I read your post!

I'm not exactly sure what the texture is of the "terrible towel"... I tried to look at pics on-line, but it just seems like regular fabric...? Anyway, you can always use an actual towel to imprint your fondant. Make sure your fondant isn't sticky, and make sure the towel you use is clean and lint-free. Just press the towel onto your fondant and you should be able to see the texture. It's ok if your fondant gets little wrinkles in it, too... because that will give it a more natural look. You can either press it on with your hands in sections, or you can cover the whole piece of fondant with the towel and roll your roller over it a time or two. Good luck!

I would make sure to sift some powdered sugar over the towel to prevent it from sticking.
Go Steelers!

I'm not sure what texture you're looking for but I used one of those plastic net scrubbers that gave me a good look. That might work.

You could do a FBC for the image or a chocolate transfer. There are instructions in the article of his site.

ummm . . . if the local store wouldn't do it because of copyright issues . . . should we assume that this is for your family?

And I've created a terrycloth towel effect with a box grater. Just press it into the fondant and then again, randomly.

I would slather on a thickish amount of slightly runny royal icing, let it set up a bit, then press an actual towel onto it. Doit a few times maybe until it starts to pull up a bit to get the "fuzziness" to stand up! Probably gonna get fuzzies in it, but it might work.

thanks for all the ideas for the texture! and Leahs, I know! this is just for a close friend... I'm not trying to do anything i shouldn't