I've made only 2 cakes with ribbon around the layers.. can anyone post a picture of the backs of their cakes so I can see how you hold on your ribbons to your cakes... thanks to anyone who can help...

I don't have any pictures of the backs, but I use a dot of icing to hold in place.

I attach the overlap of the ribbon with double sided tape, makes a neat job and no frayed edges, pretty easy to remove for serving too.

Can you use ribbon over buttercream or does the ribbon discolor from the shortening?

For a ribbon in the middle of the layer (not the base) I used the pearl hat pins in the back. I had to use about 6-8 pins for a ribbon that had a crystal buckle attached in front... Just be sure to notify the customer in writing!

WE USED ICING

thanks for all the great ideas... therese

same question as stashie - can you attach ribbon on buttercream? will it not cause oil marks on the ribbon?

You can put ribbon around buttercream. It will get greasy, but after about 10 minutes the ribbon will be totally soaked in grease and you won't really notice it. I use a dot of hot glue to attach the ribbon. I have also used a little "bow" to hide the seam. I don't like the idea of putting pins in food. HTH

I used corsage pins. I think they look nice and its very obvious that they are there.

I overlap the ribbon ends and put a tiny dot of royal icing as the "glue".