Be patient, I am new at cake decorating. I have a hard time getting buttercream to stick on carved cake, even if I use the big icing attachment and a parchment bag. Is there some trick?

I have heard some decorators use a fine mist of water on their cakes to help BC stick. but DON't do it until someone else says so. I haven't done it yet.

Could it be your icing is too thick? Perhaps you need to thin it down a bit more with some milk or corn syrup.

I don't think any question is a dumb one. We all have to learn and even the most experienced can pick up new tips here. This is what is so great about this site. (OK, I'll get off my soap box now.)
Have you tried thinning your buttercream and applying a crumb coat? Then when that has set, apply your regular BC coat. Hope this helps.

hard time getting buttercream to stick? How stiff is your icing? Sometimes, I have to thin it down a bit...do a crumb coat...let it set then do a final coat.

Sound like your icing is too thick. Thin it down w/ corn syrup or simple syrup.

Thanks everyone. You are probably right. I do a crumb coat, but even that has a hard time sticking so my guess is it is too thick.

If your using real buttercream then you can heat it a little before you apply it... I do that. Also thin it down. should be nice and soft....
experiment a little!! good luck
Mike