This is only the second time I have worked with gum paste and I am hoping someone out there can help save my cake!

I made an obnoxiously huge number 8 topper from gum paste.  It is the rope/whimsical style, not block style, and measures 6.5" tall.  This is such a large topper that it is quite heavy. 

Unfortunately, while I was making it I was so worried about getting the thing straight that I didn't consider how I was going to support it on an 8" round cake!   So, I made it without proper supports :( 

I thought about attaching skewers or long lollipop sticks to the back of the topper and then pushing those down in the cake.  However, since it is an 8 there isn't a large wide/solid portion of the number to adequately attach the sticks to. I have about 1.5-2" on each side of the bottom of the 8 that I could use for attaching something.  I also considered using floral wire then insert the wire into a straw in the cake, but I'm not sure that it will be strong enough to keep the topper upright.

Do I need to place a rope/ball of fondant around the base to support it? 

Any ideas would be appreciated!  I just don't want it to tear the cake and if I have to make another one I must get it done tonight so it has time to dry.  Sigh...I feel so dumb right now!  I'll just chalk it up to another learning experience!

Thanks!

I did the exact same thing once (with an 8 as well! :P )! It was considerably smaller (about 2,5" maybe) and what I did was I rolled a rope of gumpaste (of the same color) and attached it with edible glue, and it worked out great! Maybe you could give it a go? 

Thanks and I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who has overlooked this!  :)

I think I am going to have to attach the existing topper to a "base" of gum paste.  Then I will have to support that entire contraption with dowel rods so the cake doesn't sink from the weight of the topper. 

I am also going to make a slightly smaller back up...just incase.  Good grief!

Sounds like a good plan! :) let me know how it goes