Drapes

[dkcrooby]

Hi,

Could someone help me with drapes for the side of a cake? I've added a bit of gum trag to sugarpaste but it keeps cracking on the folds.

Any ideas on what i can do to stop it cracking?

Thanks.

[rach]

i always use 50/50 mmp or florist paste to sugarpaste sometimes even a higher percentage.....to give abit of strenght and stretch.......sugarpaste by its self is too soft...

Also if you add gum trag you have to let it mature with the sugarpaste for at least 12hours before use.......then it will be the strenght you require

[dkcrooby]

Hi Rach,

Glad to see you're looking at this post as i'm trying to get some more done now. You help so much and almost always have an answer!!

[rach]

also if its cracking it sounds like the paste is abit dry...knead more

Hope that helps

[rach]

also got some flower drape moulds on ebay ending tomorrow if thats wot u r looking for..

[dkcrooby]

Thanks Rach. I didn't want to have to use flower paste as it's quite expensive just to use on a dummy. Oh well, if i have to, i have to!

[dkcrooby]

I'll have a look. I probably won't buy anything though because i've spent soooooo much already. Spent an easy 25 pounds in the cake dec shop the other day.

[rach]

oh dear......but mine are cheaper than the cake shop.......lol..........

[rach]

i find it easier to use the flower paste or mmp but everyone has their own ways.......have you let the gum trag mature long enough..it should work just aswell

[marjycat]

Hi, for my last drape cake I used 250g sugarpaste with 5ml of Tyloe powder which is like Gum Trag but a mix with something else and works out cheaper and lasts longer, and is a bit more forgiving if you get the mixes slightly wrong. Mix it all in well then leave in a polybag overnight and gives me no trouble - and I've been able to use left-overs a week or two later for other things. Much cheaper than 50:50, although that is always guaranteed to work.

I just love my pasta making machine for rolling out the paste even thicknesses as well for drapes etc, just grease the rollers well.

Good luck

Marjorie

[dkcrooby]

Thanks Marjorie! I'll try the gum trag after leaving it overnight as rach suggested and if it doesn't work for me, then i'll have to get some tylo powder. I would LOVE a pasta making machine especially with all the drapes i'm going to be doing. They really transform a cake don't they?

[emmascakes.co.uk]

Do you have a hand cranked pasta machine or an electric one? If you have a hand one does it work well? I'm debating whether to save up for electric or just use my muscle power!

[marjycat]

It's hand cranked and I've had no problems with it 'building muscle' just make sure you use plenty of white fat when kneading the paste and on the rollers. I've used it for modelling paste for drapes and for flower paste for both petals and lettering.

Marjorie

[marjycat]

Rach

What's your ebay store name again?

Marjorie

[rach]

stores.ebay.co.uk/rachelscreatons

all my cake listings have just finished but got some more to put on later