I would like to make a draped flag that covers most of the top of a rectangular cake and falls over the side. This is for a young man graduating from West Point. I have seen many great cakes like this in the gallery and one online by Janet Brown, but I can not find any directions.
Could someone give me some pointers. Should I make the flag in fondant or gumpaste/fondant mix? Should I make it ahead of time and let it dry/harden or should I put it on the cake and make the draping effect then?
Thanks in advance.

by no means do I have the right answer, but when I made mine on a layered cake, I made it right before putting it on the cake. This all depends on how you want the look of the flag on the cake. You can accurately measure how the sides and top will be, then the flag may drape and it's easier to work with and lay it on. But you won't get the right drape if you let it dry. The biggest problem I had was whether to make individual stripes and push them together, or to make one big flag and lay every other stripe on. I think even painting the stripes would be
easier too.
all in all, I wouldn't let the flag dry. Keep it workable as mine didnt drape as I wanted it even with making it right before.
Good luck.

Giving you a bump, because I would like more info too...

I found this... it may help...

http://cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-673922-american.html+flag

I made all the stripes and the blue section and then peiced them together and rolled them out until they seamed together with a rolling pin. Then I placed stars on after it was laying on the cake.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWHwbu-10Sk&feature=channel This is a series of how to make the flag on youtube. It looks like there are several videos on how to make it.

HTH,
Carol