Peony cutters (cutters used in this tutorial are by Culpitt. We also love the shape of the Colette’s Peony Cutters and Petal Crafts cutters).

This first row of petals won’t cover the styro ball completely, but the later rows of petals will so don’t worry about that at this stage. The petals should pretty much cover the underside of the styrofoam ball at this stage If not, we can tidy it up with the fourth row of petals. Roll paste out very thinly and cut out two shapes with the smaller cutter, and two shapes with the larger cutter. Working on the smaller pieces first, thin the petal edges all round with either the ball tool, or the end of the rolling pin. Then, using either of these tools, ball each petal to curve inwards – do this along one side, then turn paste over and ball the second side. This will ensure that all the petals curve inwards the same way. bone tool (for softening edge of petals and frilling petals, also included as standard in most modelling tool sets) Use a JEM veining tool to create texture on the surface. If you do not have a JEM veining tool, you can also use an ordinary veining tool.Cut out five petals of the next size and repeat the wiring, frilling, bending and colouring as before. Use a ball tool for additional help to curve the petal inwards. Allow to dry a little before adding onto the flower with petals overlapping. To create your paste you can use equal quantities of sugar paste and Cake Star modelling paste together, or simply use sugar flower paste. Knead well and add colour if required ( you may want to make the colour for the centre petals a darker shade, graduating to a paler shade for the outer petals). Make a ball of paste which, when measured against a petal in the small cutter, fits well inside it. Elongate the ball slightly. Take your styro ball and add a dab of edible glue at the top. Cover the top of the ball with one of the veined petals To make one fully open peony, start with the centre: Take three wires and put a hook in the end of each. Take three small balls of white paste approx 3mm diameter, shape each into a cone and flatten slightly. Curve the tip and place the hooked end of a wire dipped into glue, into the base of each. Leave to dry.

Flip the petals over and curl each scallop with the bone tool as before, as well as thinning/softening the edges of the petals.So if you’ve been meaning to get started learning how to make sugar flowers, then you’ve run out of excuses because we’ve come up with a fail-safe gumpaste peony tutorial for you to try.