Looking for advice-I have to do a woodland animals themed baby shower cake.  The bottom tier is a tree stump and the top tier has a red and black buffalo plaid check pattern to mimic a flannel shirt look.  What is the best approach??  Stencil with black royal icing over red fondant??  Airbrush? Black luster dust? Or an edible image? 

 Thanks for any and all help! 

make a template of wide stripes and airbrush it in both directions -- test it out -- i've done gingham like this

I woulod think it might depend on what icing the cake is........b'cream (which type) or fondant?  Some b'creams are almost impossible to use a stencil on.   I like your idea of black royal (or even crusting b'c) over red fondant 

i use stencils on swiss meringue buttercream -- just hold it away a bit -- it works -- it's just a plaid -- the edges can fade a bit no worries  but she said red fondant anyway --