What A Pathetic Looking Bow! How Do You Make Yours?
Decorating By korensmommy Updated 24 May 2009 , 3:20pm by TamiAZ
I made my first fondant bow yesterday and it was a disaster!
http://www.cakecentral.com/cake-photo_1371022.html
Here are some problems I encountered:
*Made the loops too big and had to make smaller ones last minute. These didn't have enough time to dry and were droopy.
*Not enough loops
*Gaps in the bow
How do you make your fondant looped bow? Any hints/tips from the experts?
Hi, have you seen this tutorial? Its not in english but the pictures explain it all. I use this to make my loopy bow.
http://www.tartacadabra.nl/howtos/strik.html
And I never use fondant alone. Always gumpaste or 50/50 mix of gumpaste and fondant. 
Thanks! I thought when no one replied at first I was beyond hope!
I make several sizes of the bows (some smaller so they can be "filler" bows - there are usually 3 sizes in mine)
I also use a broom stick (dedicated) for drying. I wrap saran wrap around it and just put the loops together on it (propped across 2 chairs) pinch the loops together so they are kind of flat - that way they will look nicer when glued together. (there are instructions on here for cool loopy bow dryers, I just haven't made one yet - broomstick works for now)
Let them dry at least overnight - and if you use 50/50 fondant and gumpaste it will dry alot harder and quicker. Just fondant doesn't always work out right.
I use melted chocolate as my glue - be careful though, if it is a hot day - it may let loose. (I have never had one do that, but I have heard of those who have)
I put mine together in a bowl - that helps support it while it dries. I also lay some of the loops on their sides - gives more movement to it.
Hope this helps you - if you need any help, just ask!
DianeLM makes some beautiful bows...take a look at her cake pics. She finally had so many requests she decided to do a tutorial. There's no pictures but she explains it really well. HTH Good Luch!
http://www.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopicp-6371026.html#6371026
I think your bow loops were too long to begin with. I use a 50/50 blend of fondant and gumpaste, and my bow loops are rock hard in about 8 hours.
I also do not dry them on a pipe or dowel, because I prefer more natural-looking bow loops that have variance in shape. They fit together better for me that way (see the bows in my pics). I just make the bow loops and dry them on their sides. I then use royal icing to adhere them in the center. Easy as pie!
I do like cakepro and dry them standing on their sides. As she says, this allows you to individually shape them so they look more natural. Plus you aren't restricted by your broomstick/PVC size as to how big and open you can make them. The one in my pics is made of all fondant and I let it dry for three full days before placing on the cake. I've since done them with a fondant/gum combo and it takes much less time.
I usually get gaps too because I think I've made enough loops but alas I always come up short or they break or something lol. To fix that problem when I don't have time, I usually have some extra roses handy to fill in the gap. Had to do that twice now...my Red/Pink Floral Vine cake and the Blue Stripes & Blossoms cake.
I think practice makes perfect and definitely give yourself enough time. But rest assured, you are not the only one .
I think your bow loops were too long to begin with. I use a 50/50 blend of fondant and gumpaste, and my bow loops are rock hard in about 8 hours.
I also do not dry them on a pipe or dowel, because I prefer more natural-looking bow loops that have variance in shape. They fit together better for me that way (see the bows in my pics). I just make the bow loops and dry them on their sides. I then use royal icing to adhere them in the center. Easy as pie!
This is the way I do my bows. I have tried several ways and this seems to work the best.
Hi, have you seen this tutorial? Its not in english but the pictures explain it all. I use this to make my loopy bow.
http://www.tartacadabra.nl/howtos/strik.html
And I never use fondant alone. Always gumpaste or 50/50 mix of gumpaste and fondant.
This is the tutorial that I use as well! I found it very helpful! 
I think your fondant may have been a bit thick as well. Also, if you are gluing them together ( i use white chocolate), you need to give them time to adhere. I see that many of yours are not glued straight up, and although they kept the 'bow loop shape', they are horizontal opposed to standing verticle.
I use a tutorial by cakeboss (can't get the link to post right) and hang my loops over an improvised dowel set-up. I use 1/2 fondant, 1/2 gumpaste and glue all together with chocolate. I turn some loops on their side to add some realism to the look of the bow. You could also dry some/all lying on their side to give a different look (not all the same "roundness"). Since I found this tutorial and have had such great luck with the process, I keep looking for reasons to use a bow!! 
Member kelleyM is a cakeboss rep and I think I found this thru her link.... just wanted to give credit...
One little thing to add to all the wonderful tips so far - something I just tried and finally got a bow I liked....lchris gave me some advice via PM and it worked.
I made loops in three different lengths - and lots of extras of each. I sat and looked at everyone's beautiful bows here on CC and counted loops to be sure 
I assembled the basic bow with melted chocolate same method as on the Cake Boss site mentioned above and putting some on their sides. When it was all done and dried, I could still see gaps all over. So I dry fitted some extra loops, dipped the ends in some melted chocolate and held them in place for a minute or two. This worked best with the smaller extra loops. I still had gaps so took the longer ones and snipped (big kitchen shears) the flat ends in little nips till they were shorter and fit into the gap. I left the bottom of the loop a bit longer, dipped it choc too and set it into place.
Success at last (I think).
CakePro, are the edges of the bow your GORGEOUS black & white cake little strings of fondant, or royal icing?
Thanks everyone...
I had trouble with drying mine on the side when I tried it. It was a disaster also. lol. The sides started to give away and the whole loop would fold in on itself and collapse. Some loops just kind of , well, I dont want to say "melted" but that is kind of what it looked like. It got thicker on the side it was resting on. Like the weight of the loop was pushing down on it. I had a horrible time with it, and I used a 50/50 mixture...but it was MMF...maybe that had something to do with it? I love the pvc idea. I will try that next time.
i also do like cakepro.. make so many of differnt size loops. set on sides.. dries hard.. put together with royal icing or melted chocolate. when i make the tails of different sizes.. i lay them out on crinkled foil.. i also make a 3-4 inch circle in fondant/gumpaste .. let that dry.. then build the bow on that .. so easy to lift and put on cake. and recepient gets to keep in intact... hth
I made my first fondant bow a few weeks ago and I laid the loops on their side to dry. I made the loops in the morning and assembled the bow in the afternoon, using melted chocolate as the glue ... used Satin Ice fondant, rolled kinda thin and it dried pretty quick. I made them of various sizes, but the one that I made for the top-center was too short, so it looked "stubby". Next time, I'll definitely make that one taller.
Thanks everyone for your advice! Here is my second attempt at a bow (and my 1st 3 tiered cake!)
http://www.cakecentral.com/cake-photo_1376248.html
I made more loops and made them smaller. I still need to make more loops to make it look fuller, but it's a good start.
Thanks for the compliment! It is a struggle to get smooth buttercream when it's 91% humidity outside!
PattyT - that is the most beautiful bow I've ever seen!
I'm going to try your method next time, thanks!
I also always see lots of gaps, I guess I need even more loops than I think,
Here's some directions I posted awhile ago.. This is how I make my bows.
If I'm going to make a bow for a 6" cake I will cut my strips of gumpast 6" long so when I fold it over to make my loop it will be 3" long. When I make the loops for the next row I will cut the strips 5.5" long so they loops will be a 1/2" shorter, and so on. I think by making each row slightly shorter it gives the bow a nice shape. When I dry my loops I just put them on their sides on a piece of cardboard. I don't want them to be all the same shape.
As far as the width goes, that's all personal preference... I like my bows to have wide loops. I think they look more realistic that way.
I always put my bows together before they go on the cake... I use royal icing. For a bow that goes on a 6" cake I'll put it together on a 6" board to make sure it's going to fit. If I'm making a bow for an 8" cake I'll use an 8" board. I mess with the loops a lot when I'm putting my bows together...When I use the cake board I don't have to worry about messing up the cake. It also gives the bride a keepsake.
I also use gumpaste or a gumpaste/fondant mixture to make my bows..I tried using fondant once and it was too unstable. I prefer gumpaste because it dries nice and hard.
Just keep practicing until you get a technique you like for making bows... I love making them!!
Here's a picture of a couple of my bows... I put the loops at different angles instead of putting them all flat.. I believe this helps fill in some space. Try to use candy melts or royal icing that matches the color of your loops it will help hide the center.
I hope this helps!!
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