Ahttp://stackedcakes.com.au/_images/orig/1600/31-1.jpg I have been asked to make a cake similar to this one and am stumped on how I will make this fan and support it without making it look heavy and sloppy. Anyone have any suggestions?

I would make the fan out of heavy card stock with the "L" cut out.  Then, I'd roll out a thin gum paste [pastillage, or mexican paste would also work] rectangle,  place it in the fan former I made, cut the "L" in it, trim it to fit the form, and allow it to dry for a very long time [10 days].  I'd paint it and allow it to dry again.  I'd adhere it to the fondant on the cake using royal icing, pipe a snail trail of royal on either side of it once set, and paint that gold.

Does the fan HAVE to be edible?  Why not make it out of double sided gold paper and edge with royal.  There's nothing lighter than paper and less heart problems during delivery if it topples over.

AThe card stock sounds like a good plan.

AWow maybenot, that's a great idea. I don't have ten days though. It is due this weekend. Do you think it would still work out or should I go with the paper idea?

IF it has to be edible the only gumpaste recipe I'd use is from Linda McClure, the creator of the Silhouette for Cakes Machine.  You can roll it extra thin to make it light and then I wouldn't apply it until the cake was in place at the venue.

AGumpaste doesn't need 10 days to dry but it depends how thick you roll it. If it is just a thin sheet on each side of the card stock then I'd say only a few days. I don't think it would need to be rock hard either as you would have that internal support as well. You van even use a thin cakeboard and cut that out.You can always try it and if worst comes to worst and it doesn't dry then have the wafer paper idea as back up. Wafer paper would look more delicate though.

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If you can train a fan on it, it would be fine in 3 days. Make at least 2 for good measure.

AOk. I made one today. It doesn't look the same. I really am stumped as to how to make it just the same but se la vi! Thanks for all the help.

AHow did you decide to make it in the end?

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AI made two. One very thin rolled gum paste laid over a folded piece of card stock. And one a bit thicker and I put two skewers into it so That I can stand it up into the cake. I deliver it tomorrow and haven't decided which one to use yet. I'll keep u posted

AI wound up using the bigger of the two gumpaste fans. I added after delivery and it looked wonderful!! Thanks for all your help

Yay!! So glad it worked out for you! :)

APictures!

AUnfortunately it was a quick in and out delivery and I didn't have time for a photo. The customer said she would send one but I have yet to see one appear! Ugh