HELP me...I want to do a model of my 16 year old for her Sweet 16 cake...I need tutorials, or instruction? Do I use fondant or modelling chocolate? I know nothing...any help is appreciated!

Personally I'd use fondant or gumpaste.

I'd go the gumpaste too, or a 1/2 and 1/2 mixture and leave it to dry for at least 24 hrs. Good luck

what do you use to stand the figurine on the cake?

Depending on the height and weight of the figurine. I've usually used toothpicks (stuck down in the cake) around the edges and piped over the toothpicks to hide. Toothpicks can always be removed at cake cutting time.

I am still learning about this cake stuff so there might be a better answer from someone else. Good luck!

Look up aine2 on you tube for free videos, and you can buy her tutorials from her website, they are great and simple. Better not to use straight fondant if you can avoid it!
xx

Wow.. I thought I would get emails of forum replies and I haven't gotten anything, but here you all are, to help!!! Thank you!

when you start a new topic you dont get notification of replies unless you click watch this topic. strange but true, lol.
xx

I bought some of Aine2's online tutorials...what a great tip...thanks )

DO NOT use straight fondant, it will not hold up unless it's going to be resting flat against the cake. I'd go with gumpaste, fondant mixed with tylose, or 1/2 gumpaste and 1/2 fondant. I learnt from aine2 on youtube, as well as Debbie Brown books although Debbie's books are mostly on children's cartoon characters but You get to learn the skills you need to make figurines and you juts adjust to the look you actually want.

How do they go about attaching part to part? Like head to body, jeans on legs, etc?

Usually water will hold fondant to fondant. If you are concerned , or if it needs to travel in a car use a toothpick. Shove it into the body and put the head on top. sometimes I use a bit of chocolate to secure things down. I just secured a highheel shoes onto a cake with some chocolate.. Maybe you should think about it sitting down so it is more steady. Good Luck.