How to make a tiara for a Princess cake

I get asked quite often how did I make the gumpaste tiara for this cake that I made for a Bridal Shower a few months ago.

Here are some step by step pictures I took of the process hoping that maybe you can learn how to make your own.

To make the tiara, you will need:

.gumpaste

.small brush and water

.tiara template

.a container the size of the tiara you want to make

.clay extruder

.exacto knife

.piping gel

.silver dragees

.pastry bag

.tip #1

1- I started by making my own tiara template, you can easily download one online.I just downloaded a few tiara pictures and copied a combination of designs until I had the one I wanted.

I needed my tiara to fit a 4" inch round cake, so I used an empty platic yogurt container as my mold.. If you need a larger one, adjust your container size accordingly

2-When you have the template that you want already trace in parchment paper,wrap it around your can and tape it in place.

3-I kneaded some shortening with my gumpaste to help it come out of the clay extruder better. I also lightly greased the inside of the barrel of the clay extruder.

4-I made the first rope and placed it around the whole bottom edge of the tiara.

5- I then started making the ropes, cutting them with the exacto knife and adjusting the sizes to the pattern.

6-I found easy for me to work in sections. I worked from the center of the tiara out.

I did the first pattern carefully curving the rope into the shape I wanted, I shaped the end pieces using my fingers and cutting pieces here and there until I had the shape I needed it..

I used a dab of water at every point where pieces touched each other to stick them together..

7-When I finished the center, I did the sides of the tiara.

8- I continued making/curving ropes and adjusting them to the design.

9-When I was done , I let the tiara sit for 2 days. Do not rush this drying time or the tiara could break.

10-When the tiara was dried to hold its shape, I removed the tape holding the parchment paper to the back of the yogurt container. I then slided the parchment paper and tiara off the end of the container and peeled the parchment paper off..

11-Let the tiara sit and dry for 1 more day.