I have tried everything; reading, practicing, studying and my bows still need alot of help

What is the length, width and what placement do you use?

I've tried gumpaste, MMF and Wilton fondant...still ugly

I am at my wits end...HELP!!!

If you have any pictures with bows, please post here.

TIA

I feel you pain stephanie - I did my first bow this weekend (see photos) and I did not make enough loops so I had to cut them in half and make a small bow but then I thought that it had spots that were not full enough so I added mini roses in those spots. I think I made 15 loops so I would at least do 30 loops and make some smaller and work from bigger to smaller as you create the bow. I think I made the loops about 1/2 wide as far as the length that depends on how big you want your bow.....

I was so feeling your pain yesterday!!! Keep with it you will get it!!!!!

Check out my bows... Making the loops isn't the hard part, but assembling them on the cake can sometimes be tricky. Are they not turning out because of assembly, or are they not holding up? When making loops - and what your using is fine w/ allowing time to harden - make several lengths (it's hard to say how big because it depends on the size of the bow or cake your putting it on). I usually start w/ larger on the bottom about 8-10 loops (about 7-8" strips), then maybe 6-8 more that are about 6-7 inches, then 6-8 more that are smaller, about 5-6 inches. Some of the middle or top ones, I'll even insert toothpics in, so they have support and something to stick in the cake. I use fondant mixed w/ a little tylos power (to give them strength). You'll get it w/ practice - Good luck!

Thanks so much cakecre8tor and cakesbyallison, your bows are terrific and gave me some ideas on how to fix the two I just made.

I did different lengths and 1/2 wide and used the instruction sheets that I have from different decorators.

The bow on the wedding cake(my first bow) looks much better than the ones that I've been practicing on...will keep trying.

Yeah - your bow on the wedding cake looks great!!

I am new to making bows too. I just posted a picture with my first bow. I used the small wooden rolling pin that comes with the gumpaste making kit from wilton. I use it to form the loop. I take the fondant strip and drape it over the rolling pin, then pinch the ends, and slide it off and let it dry on it's side..It makes a nice loop..( I make a ton of loops, so I have a lot to chose from) I think you just need to practice, practice, (me too) I hate that you can see the "glue", I put a whole bunch of small flowers to hide it..Good luck, it can be so fustrating!!( but fun at the same time)
JoAnn

: I just discovered what I did wrong that made the bottom loops look so long and out of place. Instead of placing the loops up and down, I laid them all flat.

I glued them down with candy melts; is there any way that I can take the bottom row off without messing them up

If I'm going to make a bow for a 6" cake I will cut my strips of gumpast 6" long so when I fold it over to make my loop it will be 3" long. When I make the loops for the next row I will cut the strips 5.5" long so they loops will be a 1/2" shorter, and so on. I think by making eacy row slightly shorter it gives the bow a nice shape. When I dry my loops I just put them on their sides on a piece of cardboard. I don't want them to be all the same shape.

As far as the width goes, that's all personal preference... I like my bows to have wide loops. I think they look more realistic that way.

I always put my bows together before they go on the cake... I use royal icing. For a bow that goes on a 6" cake I'll put it together on a 6" board to make sure it's going to fit. If I'm making a bow for an 8" cake I'll use an 8" board. I mess with the loops a lot when I'm putting my bows together...When I use the cake board I don't have to worry about messing up the cake. It also gives the bride a keepsake.

I also use gumpaste or a gumpaste/fondant mixture to make my bows..I tried using fondant once and it was too unstable. I prefer gumpaste because it dries nice and hard.

Just keep practicing until you get a technique you like for making bows... I love making them!!

Here's a picture of one of my bows...

Thanks Tami,

I was thinking about using a cigarette lighter but the hair dryer sounds alot better

I can't believe that I did this and to beat all, I had a picture with step by step directions right in front of my eyes

Since I figured out what I did wrong, I decided to post the picture to see if anyone can suggest something that will help make it look better before trying to remove each one...already broke two loops trying to remove them

Please take it easy on me with the laughter

Wow..Those are really pretty, Stephanie...You did good!! Next time you may want to make your loops wider. It might help fill in the gaps. The thinner your loops the more you have to use. That why I like my loops wider, I don't have to make as many!! Keep practicing and it will get much easier!!

Thanks Tami,

Any suggestions on how to make the bottom loops look shorter...tried to take them off and broke two already

When I make them wider, I still have trouble...poor me

But I'm a very determined person and won't give up until I get a pretty bow

Hiya Stephanie! Love your bows. You did a great job I, personally, haven't made any bows but I have a suggestion for you. Maybe instead of starting the bow with your loops on their sides, have you tried starting the bow with the loops turned the other way? You know... laying flat instead on side. I think that is why it looks like there are gaps. But like I said I haven't gotten up the courage to try them yet so I know nothing

Lazy_Susan

Hey Little Susie,

I just sent you a pm about my bows, and how long it took me to discover where my mistake was.

One day, hopefully, I'll be able to make a pretty bow...hey, at this stage, I'll settle for a cute one

Thanks for the tip on the beadmaking...I messed them up too

Stephanie the bow on your wedding cake looks awesome - the cake is just beautiful too!! I love your bows - much better than mine. I think my problem was I made all the loops the same length - Tami your instructions are the bomb - I will do it like that next time!!

cakecre8tor,

Just remember not to make the same mistake like I did and lay all the bottom rows flat

When I did that bow on the wedding cake, I believe everyone that helped me with that cake must have talked to me in my brain to pull me through.

As usual, my CC buddies are coming through for me again...what would I do without you guys

Sorry to hear that you are leaving the norfolk, VA Beach area

Steph - I love making gumpast bowes! Check out my pix - white bow with pearl edges. I make these as toppers for cakes and I don't put them directly into the cake - I make them on pastelage so it can be remove from the cake and kept as a keepsake. If you need help - I'd be glad to.

BJ,

Thanks so much, I will pm you.

I'm definitely no expert, but I usually lay my loops out and start putting the bow together (without "glue") before I actually use the candy melts to get more of an idea of how many loops I'll need and how to place them. Then if I find I need to alter the length of some loops, it's easier to do b/c I have not "glued" them together yet. Your bows do look really cool though. Great job!

I'm only a newbie - but my second bow was easier when I figured out to prop up the loops with a decorating tip under it when assembling it. Saves a little time. My first bow was made too thin and not enough loops, the second was better... still working out the kinks. I always make way more loops than I think I will need and I use them up or break them. Good Luck!!

My problem with my bows is the center and getting everything to meet but still not be too bulky in the middle. The book says to cut the flat part of the loop to a point and I flatten it as much as possible but when you have 10 or fifteen of these loops meeting and overlaping in the middle...well you end up with a very thick center. Help somebody!

I feel your pain

Guys you are making me nervous.

We have a cake due on Friday, it is Tuesday evening here (well almost wednesday morning) we have followed the tutorial on this site and we are up to the stage when they are all hanging to dry on the dowel rod with the ends pinched together.

We are only making a small 6 inch square cake so I only made thinnish loops.... now I am worried.

The tutorial also didn't say anything about different lengths, it did say to make a couple of thinner ones for fill ins....
mmmmm..

I will post a pic in the next few days....

Wish me luck