is it possible to attach fondant to the side of a cake iced in buttercream?

of course.  Just slap that fondant deco on the bc before it crusts.

great, thank you

I always use bc to attach the fondant to my cakes ;)

I used water to attach the fondant decorations on the cake I posted yesterday with the tractor and hay stack.
 

I use a thin layer of piping gel to attach fondant to buttercream after it crusts.

My buttercream has already crusted.  Using water to attach will still work???

Can I attach fondant decorations like molded lace to a ganache covered cake? My client does not want fondant covering the whole cake but wants fondant lace accents and emblems.

AYou can make an "edible glue" with a small amount if tylose powder and warm water.

Thank you!

How do you get the fondant not "melt" into the buttercream? I'm not sure if I should add more gum paste or not.

It shouldn't melt into the buttercream...Did your fondant do that? What kind are you using?

I use Wilton's fondant for my fondant work.  I make the decorations the night before so it drys, but when left on the buttercream it gets really soft and sticks to the frosting.  I don't care for the taste of it and I always have to tell the people eating to try and take it off.

I don't think WIlton fondant has anything strange about it (other than the flavor) so it might get soft but it shouldn't totally melt. It might soften up and stick to the frosting but that's normal.

Yes, it more softens and sticks to the frosting. I always decorate the night before b/c of my schedule.  Is there any way around this?

A

Not really. Sugar is hygroscopic, which means it attracts moisture, so if you put sugar on a damp sugar (icing) it's going to suck the moisture from the icing right into itself.

You could use gumpaste instead of fondant, that wouldn't get as sticky.

Thank you for your help. I will use just gum paste for now and if I have time to decorate before a party I'll use fondant.

Thanks again!