I've tried using royal (my first time making it, and maybe it wasn't stiff enough, but the caterpillars flattened out when drying), and fondant balls stuck together on a wire, and just now I tried a fondant roll and drew the body sections on it. So far, the roll seems the best-looking, but I was thinking someone on here must've tried this already? Does anyone have pics or suggestions? TIA!

when i made mine I just made ball sections and stuck together but these were for cute catapillers....
The gummy section has a gummy mold that may work for you. I think If you just mold your fondant you could use different fondant tools to get a good effect so that way you dont have to buy anything.

I wish I had pictures sorry Im probably not much help......

Nancy

Could you just use Tootsie Rolls as a base for the caterpillar? While I was picturing making them from
fondant the TR just popped in my head.

Then you can just pipe BC or RI to the tootsie roll.

Janice

It does sound as if your royal wasn't stiff enough. Next time beat more sugar into it. The test to see if it is stiff enough for this sort of work is to touch the surface of the icing and pull it up to make a sharp peak. It should hold for a second or two then the very tip of the icing should bend to one side. Any stiffer you won't be able to pipe and any looser it won't hold it's shape. The other thing is to make sure it is in a dry place to dry out. The slightest hint of moisture will cause royal icing to collapse

What about using a bead maker? Or would that look too much like a worm for you?

thanks for the suggestions and on the royal tip. i was using a hand-held and THOUGHT that my 'soft peaks' were good, but i guess they weren't mixed enough. my fiancee bought me a kitchenaid so i'll be so excited to try that!
i played with my rolled caterpillar a little more and poked some legs out of the sections, and he looks pretty good! i'm sure with some color it'll look a lot more realistic. i'll be sure to post some photos when i'm done!

You'll have to post a picture when you finish it... I can't wait to see how it turns out.