Hello friends!

I am having some trouble.... I am currently trying to make a bow from fondant icing. I have looked on youtube and some tutorials are great but I can't really find a specific solution to my problem.

When I attempt to make the loops for the bow, if I roll the fondant really thin then the loop just loses its shape and goes flat. If I try using thicker icing, to solve the previous problem, then the icing cracks at the bend and looks unattractive (and also isn't really keeping its shape, still).

I've tried putting the fondant loops in the fridge for a bit to them keep their shape before I stick them onto the cake, but it just dries out further and cracks more.

If you have any tips, PLEASE help me!! I am getting frustrated.

You should check out the Satin Ice website...they have some tutorials on there including a bow, that's how I learned how to do a bow and am happy with the way my bows have turned out Good luck!!

Oh no...First rule, dont put it on the fridge. It will make it worst.
Lay the loop sideways in the shape you want them to be.
and let them dry well. Is best to add gumpaste to the fondan 50/50 or
tylose, or even do them completely in gumpaste. They are stronger that way.

Let them dry well, the longer the better, a few days is better than overnight.
You can hang them in a wood dowel (thicker one,like a broom size) to let them dry if you can't figure how to dry them sideways.
Edna

There are two different tutorials on cc that I've seen. One thing that I've found helpful is to rest the loops on there sides to dry.

Why dont you try adding either gum-tex or tylose to your fondant to help it hold its shape better. Thats what i do, and it eventually dries up hard like gumpaste. Or use gumpaste.

I guess I'm doing it right if my advice is the same as Edna's.

My instructor taught us to place wadded tissue paper in your bow to help keep its shape until it dries...

I followed the tutorial found on cake boss:
http://www.cakeboss.com/FondantBowTutorial.aspx

I've made 2 bows using their instructions with no problems!

Edit: Ok...I guess you are going to have to copy & paste address into your browser since CC is automatically putting a link where the word Cake Boss is

I dry the loops over a plastic dowel and wire each one separately.

Wow thank you all so much! I will try again today and persevere.... I never through of drying them on their side, which now seems like the most obvious thing ever! I am in the UK and I have never seen gumpaste available here, but I will try and find some as it looks and sounds so much better for modelling etc. Thanks again all of you! x