I have a client that wants a pile of polo shirts stacked similar to this cake to feed 50 guest:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4133/5038464059_750234d3f6_z.jpg

I normally do not do carved cakes, so this is all new to me. Do I build up a tall tier of cake and then carve it down? Do I do individual layers for the shirts, and then stack? What is the best pan and cutting/trimming method to serve 50?

Also how to you make a stacked book cake? Stacked luggage? I have no idea how to do stacked anything? Any help would be greatly appreciated.