Hi, i have been searching for almost 2 hours but could not be able to find the info that i want. I looked at swags but the look that they want is looong
drapes beginning on one tier and ending in another.
I use fondant, if i have to add tylose what is the ratio?
Can someone help me with step by step instructions to make long drapes???
Also after making them how much time is needed to assemble?
this will be my first time with that technique
thanks

First, I don't believe you want to use tylose as that turns it into gumpaste and will dry very hard. I believe that you want to use fondant.

I haven't done this myself as I've only draped 1 cake but it order to do a long drape, you will just need to roll it out longer in order for it to reach from the top to the bottom of the tiers that you want it to reach.

You will probably need to roll it a little thicker so that it doesn't tear while you are trying to drape it. I strongly advice that you practice some with this technique for trying it the real cake.

Maybe someone else that has done this can provide a little more detailed instructions.

Not sure exactly what kind of drapes ya want, but....pretty much what the previous poster said....roll your strips out long and thick and do some practicing first.

Do you wanna start at the top and drape to the bottom tier or go from tier to tier?

I have one in my pics, labeled Fondant Ribbon Wedding Cake. Let me know if that is what you are looking for.

A lot of times when i do drapes I make it wider than I think I'll need it, then do a gentle accordion fold while it's still laying flat and then pick up both ends and gentle pinch them together to help keep its shape. This make it much easier because I don't have to try to create the draping folds while it's on the cake. After I get it on the cake I sometimes rearrange the folds a bit, but it makes it easier to do if I've already done the folds. Does this make sense? I have a red and black graduation cake in my photos where I used this technique.

tellis12- Do you add anything to your fondant to make it more stiff?
Like a gum-tex or anything??

Thanks, I have one coming up too...Thanks, NIcole

Hello, i use equal amounts of gumpaste and fondant, gumpaste makes it stretchible. If the cake is high just do layer by layer and line so it looks like one piece of fabric draped on the cake. I got one in my pics see if that's what you want. The bride told me the same thing, that she wanted a long drape and she was happy with the result. It's tha white cake with orcids on it. Good luck

When I did mine I had to use straight fondant because mixing it with gumpaste caused it to get too dry and it kept cracking and tearing. I think alot depends on the climate and conditions you are working in. I'm in Florida, but my A/C is on 73 all year so I'm working in very little humidity. The more humidity in the air the longer it takes the gumpaste to dry out so you could mix 50/50. The less humidity you will want to go with all fondant.

I advise doing some practice drapes to see how the handle and what mixture, if any, you will need.

You need to roll it out very thin almost paper thin.

Hope this helps.

Thank you very much!!! I really appreciate this post and your input ..Thank you!!

hi everyone & thanks for the replies.
the drape styles are similiar to yours CakesBySandy and Rafaella. (By the way both of your works are great)
the drapes that start at one corner of one tier & reaches the opposite corner on the other tier(like zigzag) and how long will i have to wait to dry or attach to the cake?

when you do it attach so it won't get dry. If you wait it will dry and crack. I roll it thin and give the drape look with a long dowel rods or you can do it by hand, just work quickly before it dries.

The whole deal with the drapes is to move fast. THe longer you take to put on the more they dry and the more the break..
Edna

well i will try and see what i get..
thanks again

I have another question on this:

To attach the drapes, do you brush the cake lightly with water like when attaching fondant ribbon? What's the best way to secure the swags in place?

I happen to have 2 wedding cakes in one weekend with swags, and it's my first time doing them- kinda nervous! These will both have flowers at the ends where the swags meet, so there will be picks there too for the flowers to go into.

I did mine on crusting buttercream so I used some gum glue (tylose and water). Would also work on fondant covered cake.

I think you could use water if it is fondant and buttercream if your icing is buttercream.

i made it better than i expected...but because of hurry could not take a photo.
i have used edible glue but you can also use water HBcakes.
thanks everyone for yr help..