I want to replicate this quilt pattern for a baby shower cake for August 24th. To go on a half sheet size, flat design.  I would like to go ahead and get animals done now (because I work and I can work on them a little each evening), anyway my question is should I use modeling chocolate or fondant? I would like them to stay soft. Thanks in advance for your input.

Hi, I have not worked with modelling chocolate myself, but it you are using fondant it will dry a certain amount even without tylose/cmc/gumtrag in it. So if you were to make them now I would say they may be too hard/dry for you by 24th if that is when you need it if you want them to be soft. Have you ever used modelling chocolate before? Perhaps give it a try with one of the animals and see what it is like in a couple days.

Hope that helps a little!
 

I would personally use modeling chocolate. I would cover a cake board 9x13 with freezer paper. I would make the whole quilt just like you see on this covered board. wrap with saran wrap and put in fridge or really cool room. I use my back bedroom for these purposes. works great for my any and every time. I let it sit out for a little bit,so some air can get to it and then place right on my cake. I hope i have understood your question right.I love to use modeling chocolate for decos , etc. good luck with your project. I am for making anything ahead of time that i can.I have a baby shower cake in my pics. Pink, flowers etc.  all modeling chocolate.

HI, tried to find my pic to show you, but many seem to have been deleted or something. Don,t know where it is. Anyway chocolate , to me is the way to go if you do it as i say.

AThanks guys, yes i was thinking the chocolate would be my best bet. And yes I like to get whatever I can made in advance. Makes it a lot less stressful when it comes to finishing the cake. And icer101 it wil be on a 18x 12, so i was going to just make pieces and put together on cake like a puzzle because of size. Or do you think the modeling choc will be stiff enough that size to complete it first like you said and get it on the cake without messing it up? And I think I have the 1/2 sheet size correct. 18x12.

I do think you can make the whole thing and store it like i said. Dust the freezer paper covered board with some powder sugar(not a whole lot, just nice fine shake) and then make away. I do things like this all the time. good luck. Post pic when you get it finished.

Thank you and yes I will post a pic

Ok so here is my cake, I think I did pretty good at getting it to look like the quilt, it was fun to do.

Wow it looks just like the quilt. Great job!

It looks amazing!!! Looks like modelling chocolate was the way to go. 

Thank you! Yes it worked well, it stayed flexible and didn't get to hard. Except for the chocolate monkey. The cake was cold when I put it on, so it did sweat and it took forever for the condensation to evaporate. But other than that it went rather smoothly.

Oh my goodness, that looks great! Just like the quilt!
 

AWow, amazing! It looks exactly like the quilt!did you buy the modeling chocolate or make it?

Beautiful job!! Love the ruffled fondant on the sides of the cake too.

 slapsappyhappy, I bought it. I wasn't going to even try to make that much. I have only made it twice and I end up with an oily mess so I played it safe. JSKConfections, my first ruffle I have done, I think it was a little too thick so next time I need to roll it a lot thinner. Thank you both for you compliments.