How to Make Fondant Figures: Jessie from Toy Story
Hey everyone! In this tutorial, I’m going to show you how to make fondant figures, specifically Jessie from Toy Story. I made this cake for Olivia Bowens’ little boy, Abel, who was turning 2.
For any Toy Story lover, the “two infinity and beyond” party theme is perfect!
Jessie was just one of the Toy Story fondants figures I created. Be sure to check out my other videos to create a fondant Buzz Lightyear and Woody cake topper in our YouTube Toy Story tutorial playlist here:
Frequently Asked Fondant Figure Questions:
Today we are going to focus on some of the most frequently asked questions:
- How to Make Fondant Figures Stand Up?
- How to Support My Models?
- How to Work Out the Size of Fondant Figures?
- How to Get Proportionate Models?
Materials Needed for This Fondant Figure Tutorial
Before we start, let’s go over the materials you’ll need. Click on the titles to see where to purchase…
- Bamboo Skewers For Support: https://amzn.to/4c0cEaH
- CMC Tylose Powder, if you prefer to use fondant: https://amzn.to/3VfiApI
- For mixing with dusting colours to paint https://amzn.to/4bGPt5D
- Blushing sugar models faces: https://amzn.to/45aheRi
- Craft knife, for cutting perfect lines in edible paste: https://amzn.to/3KpM8fd
- Great starter dusting colour set perfect for dusting flowers and creating shadows on models and adding with rejuvenator to paint: https://amzn.to/3wQMBUB
- Armature wires to create movement supports within your fondant figures: https://amzn.to/4ek1Bv9
- Extra food colours to colour your fondant or modelling paste: https://amzn.to/4c1lPHL
- My favourite modelling paste to create fondant figures
- Double ended FMM tools, Mini Scissors, Water Pen, Eye tools and skin tones paste colours
Most of these items are likely to be in your decorating kits, but if not, I guarantee they are well worth purchasing. I only suggest things I 100% cannot live without. Now that you have everything, let’s jump right into it.
How to Model Proportionate Figures
One of the key aspects I wanted to focus on in this tutorial is learning how to model proportionate figures and how to make fondant figures stand up. I create fondant figures all the time, so this shouldn’t have been hard for me. But can you believe even I procrastinated creating her? So, without exact weights or a templates to hand, I know this must be daunting for some of you! If you’re nervous, don’t worry! I have a template, weights, and an in-depth video on making Jessie in the Sugarcraft Club, these are just one great perk with being a member, check out the club here…
Tip: Always have a reference picture. You can either expand the picture to your desired size and try to match the pieces or work off the picture on your phone and work out measurements with a ruler or tape like I did.
How to Work Out the Size of Fondant Figures for Beginners
First, prepare approximate amounts for all the colors you will need, making sure you have enough spare for other little bits around the cake. If you’re new to fondant and want to know how to store it correctly as well as other tips, watch the video here: [9 Fondant Mistakes & How to Fix Them]
Decide on Size: Using a measuring tape, decide on the size you want your cake topper to be. Then start creating rough shapes of all the body parts with the correct colors and lay them out on the table. This helps in visualizing the final figure.
Measure and Adjust: The next step is to measure Jessie in the photo. Note that her trousers-to-boots length is the same as from her waist to her head. With this in mind, you can cut and adjust your pieces accordingly.
Arm and Hand Length: A tip: arms and hands should reach halfway down the thigh
How to Make Fondant Figures Step By Step:
Once I was happy with the initial shapes, I had to trust the process and work on each piece one at a time. Watch the tutorial here:
How to Make Fondant Figures Stand Up & Supports
To make sure fondant figures stand up, creating a strong support system is essential. Some people build wire frames, but I find it super difficult that way. Instead, I usually run a skewer through the leg, body, and head, which is the main internal structure. I always make holes in all of the pieces using a skewer or wire, making it easier to assemble.
Top Tip: Always twist the wire or skewer into your models to avoid putting pressure and changing the shape, as well as creating smaller, tighter holes that will grip and thicken later. This brings me to the most common problem when creating sugar models.
How to Stop Fondant Figures from Dropping or Sagging
The legs should be fully stuck to the skewer before adding weight to avoid the fondant from dropping and sagging. The skewer helps, but if you don’t have the fondant fully stuck to the skewer, it will still drop and sag, causing the leg to collapse. This is the key reason why your fondant figures squash down. Here is how to fix it: Add water to the skewer, twist it inside the leg until it pulls slightly, and use your hands’ heat to help it stick.
Easy Fondant Figures for Beginners – Don’t Miss This Step!
Modeling is just a series of basic shapes and small steps using your hands as tools. If you want to supercharge your modeling skills, you must learn the foundations of modeling first! The materials and tools, creating shapes using your hands as tools, the broken-down steps, and how to make a full project. You can grab your 4 FREE in-depth modeling tutorials in the description below.
How to Attach Fondant Figures and Finishing Touches
Now that we have all the pieces of Jessie made, let’s bring them all together to once again check they’re proportionate. Use the tape measure again to check the top and bottom half are the same size. Trim away the top of the legs, torso, and arms if needed. Lay it out and check the pose. The skewer in the standing leg supports the entire model. Its at this point when you can work out the size of the head.
How Make Fondant Faces for Beginners
Creating faces can be tricky, so cartoon faces are a great start as there is less detail. Knowing your tools is crucial. Use tools like the blue Dresden tool to move and manipulate the paste, and the bone tools to create the eye sockets.
If you would like to master faces and figures for your cakes, check out my online cake decorating course here.
How to Make Hair for Fondant Figures
Watch the video tutorial here on how I create easy hairstyles for my fondant figures. It’s a great tutorial to get you started, ironing out any of the common problems people have. My top tips for making the hair are: never roll the paste out thin; it’s better to have it smaller and thicker so you can pull it to where you want it to go. When creating the hair strand streaks, never cross them over—always go in the same direction. For more tips, watch the video here:
How to Make Fondant Figures for Cakes
Slowly build your model either onto the cake or a polystyrene dummy while constantly referring to your picture to correct the pose. Add final details at the end. I left the painting until last as I didn’t want to smudge the black cow print.
Want to dive deeper into creating fondant figures?
Join our Sugarcraft Club to get full templates, including weights and a slow, detailed video to follow along. Click the link in the bio to view this tutorial and access other amazing tutorials. Perfect for anyone looking to excel in fondant figure modeling, from beginners to advanced decorators.
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About the Author: Christina Georgiou
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