AHi all! I plan on making a nautical themed cake next weekend. I'd like the bottom tier to look like ropes. I plan to Twist two strands of fondant together to achieve this look. My question is will the buttercream frosting be strong enough to hold up 3 or 4 ropes wrapped going up the cake. Horizontally. I hope I discribed that well enough. Thanks so much.

I wouldn't have thought so if the fondant ropes become heavy when you twist them, but why not insert toothpicks at intervals through the rope and the cake to hold in place? Just remember they are there before you serve it.

AAs long as the ropes are not very heavy the buttercream will hold the fondant. "Glue" the fondant on with some water.

I just did this nautical cake and I used the tylose/boiling water recipe for my edible glue and it works like a champ. Those ropes (and whales and anchors and stripes) didn't budge. I use it for almost everything.  

Melted chocolate also works well for holding heavy fondant pieces onto buttercream cakes.