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How to make a gum paste bow

by Louise 63 Comments

gum paste bow

Gum paste bows are essential when making gift box cakes, but they look also pretty as a top or side decoration on other types of cakes. By using textured rolling pins, embossing tools, shimmer or lustre dusts. Can you make different looks for your gum paste bows. The bow can be made out of gum paste only, but I like to use equal parts (50/50) of rolled fondant icing and gum paste mixed together. This gives in my opinion a better paste to work with.

To prevent the “fondant gum paste” from cracking when making the bow, you need to roll it out rather thinly. A pasta machine is great help if you have one. I dont have any specific measures on how large or small the bow loops should be, when I make my bows. But you can make a paper template for the bow loops if you like. Here is my way, on how to make a gum paste bow.

This is what I use:
Equal parts of rolled fondant and gum paste, mixed well together
Food gel paste color
Rolling pin
Small knife
Tylo glue
Small brush
Polyester fiber
Kitchen paper
Cornstarch for dusting
1 Plastic bag
A pair of scissors
A ruler (not showing on the photo)

Optional:
Shimmer or lustre dust
Soft brush
Textured rolling pins
Embossing tools
Paper template for the bow loops
Pasta machine

Step 1:
Take the plastic bag and cut down one of the sides with the scissors.

Step 2:
Take some of the polyester fiber and wrap it in a piece of kitchen paper. Adjust the amount of polyester fiber to the size of your bow loops. Remember to make two of them.

Step 3:
Color your paste with food gel color and roll out the paste thinly with a rolling pin (or a pasta machine). Take the knife and a ruler (or your paper template) and cut two (long) pieces for the bow loops. If you want to use a textured rolling pin, then use it when you have rolled out your paste thinly, but before cutting out the bow loop pieces. You could also use embossing tools or brush the two pieces with shimmer or lustre dust, before placing them in the plastic bag.

Step 4:
Take one of the bow loop pieces and brush a little tylo glue at one of the ends. Place one of the polyester fiber rolls in the middle.

Step 5:
Fold the bow loop around the polyester fiber roll.

Step 6:
Take the end of the loop and start in the middle by going back and forth to make pleats.

Step 7:
Secure the pleats with a little tylo glue. Repeat steps 4-5-6-7 with the other bow loop.
TIP! If you want the bow to stand up, instead of laying down. Then place the bow loops in a standing position before continuing.

Step 8:
Trim the ends and brush ends with a little tylo glue.

Step 9:
Place the two bow loops together and let them dry a bit before you continue with the next step.

Step 10:
Roll out some paste thinly and cut a small piece for the middle of the bow and make some pleats.

Step 11:
Brush a little tylo glue on the back of the piece and wrap it around the bow. Trim with the knife if necessary. Let the bow dry completely, if you are not planning to make tails for the bow.
Note: Remove the polyester fiber rolls when the bow are dry.

Step 12:
If you want tails on your bow? Then roll out some more paste. Cut the tails in the same width as the bow loops. Pleat the ends and attach the tails with a little glue to the bow.
Note: I often wait with the bow tails, until the bow is to be placed on the cake. This makes it more easy to place the tails in the right position.

Please visit my tutorial page if you want to learn how to make other gum paste decorations.

You can also see my article about a beautiful gift box cake to get inspiration on how to use the bow.

Happy Caking!

Louise

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jennifer White

    December 17, 2019 at 3:02 PM

    Great tutorial.
    Is there a printable template available for this bow please?

    Reply
  2. Caro

    July 14, 2015 at 11:31 PM

    that’s a great tutorial! Thank u
    I was looking for it to make a minnie

    Reply
  3. Laura - Un'altra fetta di torta

    February 1, 2013 at 9:25 PM

    Thank you a lot for your tutorial!
    Laura

    Reply
    • Vemala

      June 9, 2021 at 7:03 PM

      Thank you.

      Reply
  4. Blaithin Carroll

    August 22, 2011 at 9:45 AM

    Great step by step instructions. You made it very easy…Thanks

    Reply
  5. Fayperrin

    August 3, 2011 at 2:58 PM

    Try using the rolls from toilet paper to dry the fondant.  It works great!

    Reply
  6. Alisha

    August 1, 2011 at 2:52 AM

    I’m new to decorating with fondant, and my fondant ribbons seem to crack at the edge. Actually, all of my fondant creations do. Do you know what I might be doing wrong? 

    Reply
    • Anonymous

      September 25, 2011 at 9:54 PM

      It could be because it is too dry or the items are too thick. I like to use a mix of half gum paste and half fondant.

      Reply
  7. Asma Moosagie 21

    July 19, 2011 at 7:40 PM

    I was looking all over for this! great just totally wonderful thanks 🙂

    Reply
  8. Maria_de_campos

    June 20, 2011 at 2:15 AM

    Thank you so much!!!! love it!!!

    Reply
  9. Afidnos

    May 13, 2011 at 7:59 PM

    its very beautiful but i think its difficult for me . 

    Reply
  10. Kasmah24

    April 28, 2011 at 5:12 AM

    thanks for the tutorial..you make it looks so easy..

    Reply
  11. Bakeuhappy

    February 1, 2011 at 11:34 AM

    hi thanks for this tutorial.
    i’m actually making the bow right now..hope to send in a pic of it.
    bake

    Reply
  12. Cake lovers

    December 21, 2010 at 1:09 PM

    I think you’re amazing I love your work so much I always how off your pictures to my friend!

    Reply
  13. Marie B.

    December 20, 2010 at 2:33 AM

    hi, quick question…. what is the cut plastic bag for in the first step?

    Reply
  14. carolyn

    December 15, 2010 at 1:59 AM

    OMMMMMGGGGG, U ARE A LIFE SAVER. I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR A GOOD BOW TUTORIAL AND FINALLLLLLYYYY! THANK YOU! I can’t wait to try it. It looks amazing!

    Reply
  15. Yuohaney

    December 13, 2010 at 4:43 AM

    wow, i love this so much! thanks.

    Reply
  16. LaDawn

    November 29, 2010 at 5:18 AM

    BEAUTIFUL! I am speechless!

    Reply
  17. Ani

    September 28, 2010 at 6:31 PM

    This is such an amazing website, and the bow is just too beautiful to be true:) , but I have one concern, I’m in tlove with this bow, but I wonder if you can make one from regular marshmallow fondant, becouse I live here in Armenia, and we do not have any gumpase over here! and also the special type of glue you use, what can I use instead of that for my fondant ! Thank u in advance !

    Reply
  18. Jacqueline

    August 2, 2010 at 2:24 PM

    This was incredible and so precise. Your pictures are gorgeous. Even if I didn’t want to learn how to make a bow, it would have been a pleasure looking at these beautiful pictures. I am glad you mentioned doing half fondant and half gum paste, that makes such sense. Thanks, I know how time consuming tutorials can be!

    Reply
  19. Louise

    June 5, 2010 at 11:53 PM

    Patricia: See step 3. You place the bow loops in the bag. So they dont dry out.

    Reply
  20. Patricia

    May 31, 2010 at 1:53 AM

    Great! I will try it. Just one question, what is the plastic bag for?
    Patty

    Reply
  21. marielys

    May 19, 2010 at 6:48 AM

    Hi Louise,

    Thanks for your tutorial… I will try it as soon as possible. I’m sure I will learn a lot from you, specially making gum paste flowers.

    XO

    Reply
  22. PAL

    May 16, 2010 at 5:31 AM

    Thank you so much! I just finished my first fondant class today and have about 3 lbs. of leftovers to practice with! This will definitely be one of my projects with it!

    Reply
  23. Monna

    May 10, 2010 at 1:42 PM

    Another excellent tutorial my friend,Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
  24. Alma Pieters

    April 28, 2010 at 7:32 AM

    Hi Louise
    I love your bow, especially the middle part.
    Thanks so much.

    Reply
  25. fancypants

    April 28, 2010 at 6:08 AM

    Great tutorial! No wonder the last bow I tried was so ugly. Can’t wait to give this a try next time.

    Reply
  26. cuen

    April 27, 2010 at 10:03 AM

    This is really useful. The bows is very very very pretty. =)

    Reply
  27. askii

    April 24, 2010 at 5:04 PM

    Thanks for the tutorial!! keep up with your great work!!!

    Reply
  28. Natalie

    April 24, 2010 at 9:54 AM

    thankyou for the awesome and EASY tutorial! I have struggled in vain to make nice neat bows 😛

    Reply
  29. Anonymous

    April 24, 2010 at 9:54 AM

    Thank you Louise. I have to make a gift bow this weekend so will put your tutorials to work. Very instructive – thank you.

    Reply
  30. Lyzzie

    April 24, 2010 at 3:58 AM

    Hi Louise is beatiful detalle for cake box

    Reply
  31. Lisa

    April 24, 2010 at 3:29 AM

    Beautifully done!

    Reply
  32. MyDiwa

    April 23, 2010 at 11:33 PM

    I love how these bows have all the folds that make it look so much more like real fabric than what I’ve usually seen out there. Thanks so much Louise!

    Reply
  33. Diana Viera

    April 23, 2010 at 6:33 PM

    Very pretty! I love the color and how clean it looks ~ flawless:)

    Reply
  34. Charmaine

    April 23, 2010 at 5:52 PM

    Thanks for posting… I have just made my first bow for an order this weekend and still need to do the tails….
    So, I need to print this and file for future reference.

    Reply
  35. paula

    April 23, 2010 at 5:47 PM

    hi louise,

    the bow looks great……
    thank you for he tutorial….
    gr paula

    Reply
  36. Danielle Moore

    April 23, 2010 at 5:34 PM

    Love it. FABULOUS!!!!

    Reply
  37. Anonymous

    April 23, 2010 at 3:44 PM

    thanx for this wonderful tutorial 🙂

    Reply
  38. Anja

    April 23, 2010 at 12:03 PM

    Great Tutorial Louise – as always!
    Think I will try it soon – since one of my co-wokers has asked me to to a cake for her birthday 🙂
    Hugs Anja

    Reply
  39. Lori

    February 23, 2010 at 7:30 PM

    Thanks for the great tutorial – I made 2 bows for my daughters cake this weekend, they both came out great, and I only had to start over once! I forgot to stand the first one up while it was drying, so I had a laying down bow, but the second one stood up great. This was surprisingly easy – thanks for being so clear!

    Reply
  40. Sue J

    July 30, 2009 at 6:03 AM

    Your tutorials are so detailed and informative. Always a delight to follow.

    Reply
  41. Louise

    July 19, 2009 at 10:35 PM

    Renata McKay: Do it tear in the end where you pinch or more out towards the wide side of the bow. Is your paste to dry maybe? Try and make it with only fondant/sugar paste icing and see if that makes a different. Please write back how that goes. Thx.

    Reply
  42. Renata McKay

    July 4, 2009 at 4:12 AM

    Hi Louise. I tried making the bow 100 times. Every time I do step 5, the bow tears slightly on the edges. Do you have any idea why this happens ?

    Reply
  43. Louise

    June 30, 2009 at 1:31 AM

    Gloria: Tylo glue is made with tylo powder and water: https://cakejournal.com/archives/how-to-make-tylo-glue

    Reply
  44. Gloria

    June 30, 2009 at 12:18 AM

    Hello there,

    Great site, I have one quick question for you. What is tylo glue? I am not familar with the product.

    Thanks
    Gloria

    Reply
  45. Louise

    May 6, 2009 at 10:40 AM

    Taryn: If you want to let the bow stand up a good thing is to let it dry in that position. I have made a “standing” bow using this tutorial only I let it dry standing up with the supporting filling inside the bow loops for a day or two. You can see that cake in the cake gallery/whimsical cakes.

    Sharon Zambito showed in her latest dvd that she use melted chocolate in the came color to glue bows on cakes with.

    Kendra: It is always good to let the bow air dry for 1-2 days before you carefully pack it in a container. I would let the filling support stay in the bow loops so that you are sure they wont collaps. Just make sure that you can remove the filling easily afterwards.

    Reply
  46. Kendra

    May 5, 2009 at 6:16 PM

    Hi Louise!~This looks great! How can I store the bow to keep it looking good and what is the time frame on that? I am making my mother a birthday cake for her birthday and I want to make something special but I dont have A LOT of time to spend on it!

    Reply
  47. Taryn

    May 2, 2009 at 7:05 PM

    Will this be able to stand up on the side of a cake? I want to “tie a ribbon” around a 10 in round cake but worry about it falling down or drooping? Any wisdom?

    Reply
  48. Louise

    October 26, 2008 at 6:17 PM

    Dee: Only glad to help fellow cake friends.

    Reply
  49. Dee

    October 23, 2008 at 8:44 PM

    OMG! I love your tutorials they are great and since I am a newbie at this cake decorating world this helps alot…Thanks

    Reply
  50. Louise

    September 23, 2008 at 10:17 PM

    Nornah: I dont use any specific wide. I just cut the bow in the size I want it to be. But 3″ sounds ok.

    Reply
  51. Nornah

    September 16, 2008 at 4:31 PM

    how wide are the bow ribbons cut into 3″ pieces?

    Reply
  52. Louise

    September 14, 2008 at 10:09 PM

    MoDog: yes you use rolled fondant for this. But you can also mix 50/50 of rolled fondant and gum paste mixed together.

    Denise: Well as you will need this to dry to get this look I am not sure that it would be that nice to chew on. I remove my bows from the cakes before it is cut into portions.

    Reply
  53. Denise

    September 6, 2008 at 5:43 AM

    your amazing! I have two questions. The first it kind of stupid but.. can you eat these? And my second question is how can you create such a beautiful cake and have the heart to eat it? I don’t think I could sit and watch people eat my creation. 🙁 I love your site.. very inspiring

    Reply
  54. MoDog

    May 1, 2008 at 4:47 AM

    Your website is fantastic! I am an amatuer cake decorator, but I love to learn new techniques.

    Can I make this bow using rolled fondant?

    Reply
  55. Louise

    April 30, 2008 at 11:33 PM

    Alsia: Your welcome 🙂

    Reply
  56. Alisa

    April 30, 2008 at 6:58 PM

    wow awesome! thanks for that tutorial!

    Reply
  57. Aamena

    October 9, 2007 at 6:52 PM

    wow! i had always wondered how its done! now that i have discovered your site, am sure i will keep ocming back!

    Reply
  58. Louise

    June 16, 2007 at 3:34 PM

    Your welcome Andrea.

    If you have any question, you can always mail me.

    Louise

    Reply
  59. Anonymous

    June 16, 2007 at 3:07 PM

    Hi Louise

    Thanks so much for posting how to make it !

    I will try it myself one of these days.

    thanks

    andrea kopp

    Reply
  60. Louise

    June 15, 2007 at 1:30 PM

    Thank you my friend:)

    Reply
  61. jcann

    June 15, 2007 at 12:54 PM

    Another great tutorial!

    Reply

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