We’ve been asked more times than we can count whether the Widget can be used for Top Down–Bottom Up (TDBU) Roman shades—and the answer is yes!

TDBU shades let your customers raise the shade from the bottom or lower it from the top, creating that perfect balance of natural light and privacy. They’re a beautiful, functional upgrade to the standard Roman shade, and we’re excited to share how you can make one using the Widget.

Our new TDBU instructions show how to build these shades using:

• A 2-, 3-, or 4-cord Widget for the bottom lift, and
• A 2-cord Widget for the top-down movement.

We recommend that you already be comfortable building standard Roman shades with the Widget before taking on this advanced technique—but if you’re ready, it’s a fun and rewarding project!

You can download the PDF instructions, and we've also added them to the “About Our Product” page on our website.

Happy shade-building—and enjoy experimenting with this elegant new configuration!

It’s official — the number one question we get about shades built with the Widget is:
“What do I do when a cord slips through the orb?”

Hopefully, this hasn’t happened to you (yet!), but it’s a common issue. Signs of slipped cords include a shade that raises unevenly, or one that doesn’t retract all the way to the top. Another clue: when you first installed the Widget, the cord spools were all empty with the shade fully extended. If they’re not uniformly empty after operating the shade and then extending it, that’s a clear indicator that cords have slipped.

The good news? It’s totally preventable.
Once you’ve run the cords through the ladder tape, down through the brass rings, and then through the orbs — tie off your cords! You should tie back to cord above the brass ring with a double half-hitch knot, but the key is: tie it off.

We’ve heard all the reasons not to:

“I want to try it first.”
“I might need to adjust it.”

But trust us — untying and retying is far less heartbreak than having a cord slip up into the Widget or a customer calling to say their shade is lifting unevenly.
​
Remember, the orbs are designed to hold cords snugly during assembly — not to withstand the repeated pull of everyday use. A quick knot now saves a big headache later!

At Centurion Roman Shade, we’re always looking for ways to make your shade projects smoother, easier, and more professional. Recently, some of you let us know that the Hem Grips in our Widget Kits weren’t holding up the way they should—sometimes cracking or slipping off the hem bar. We took that feedback seriously and went on the hunt for a better solution.

What’s New with the Hem Grip?

The upgraded Hem Grip has two key improvements:

• Molded corners instead of a seam
  The original design had a hidden seam line halfway around the bottom, which could weaken under stress. The new version has two molded corners designed to take the strain of being bent open and snapped on.
• Full-width gripping ledges
  Each Hem Grip now has 1" deep gripping ledges on both sides. These “click” securely over the fabric-covered 1/8" x 3/4" weight bar we recommend in our instructions, and they won’t slide back off without effort.

When Your Roman Shade Needs 5 (or 6) Cords
Our Centurion Widget Kits are available in 2-cord, 3-cord, and 4-cord options—but what if your project calls for 5 or even 6 cords? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

6 Cords
For a 6-cord shade, the setup is simple: use two 3-Cord Widgets—one handling the three cords on the left of center, and the other handling the three cords on the right.

​5 Cords
Five cords require a slightly different approach. The best configuration is to pair a 3-Cord Widget with a 2-Cord Widget. For the most even lift, we recommend placing the 3-Cord Widget as shown (managing the (yellow) middle three cords) and the 2-Cord Widget on the (blue) outermost cords (left and right edges). Optimally, the two Widgets are also offset a bit front to back, so that the outer cords pass behind the three center ones:

This orientation spreads out any subtle differences in spring tension between the two Widgets, keeping your shade balanced so it rises smoothly every time.
​
Tips for Smooth Operation

• For shades with more than 4 cords, always use two hands when lifting and lowering.
• Position hem grips under the 2nd and 4th cords for the most effective pull.
• Consider accessibility: if the shade is behind a sofa, in a stairwell, or otherwise hard to reach, a chain lift or cordless option may be a better choice.

We’re always happy to answer questions, but we hope this gives you the confidence to combine Widgets for wider Roman shades with perfect results.

Custom Workroom Conference is the only annual education event and trade show specifically for custom window covering, upholstery, and soft furnishing workroom businesses, and we'd be thrilled to see you in person at the Marketplace! 

​Judi is also teaching a class there on the 25th. She'll be co-teaching BIZ-5 How to Build a Framework to Easily Evaluate Pricing along with Julie Thome, which will be a terrific learning session!

​Hope we'll see you there!

If you’re looking to give your Roman shade a more professional, tailored finish, try adding an integrated return at the top. It’s a small design detail that makes a big difference—especially with patterned fabrics—showcasing both your shade and your fabric at their best.

We’ve posted a basic return template in our FAQ section for 2” and 3” headboards. The template gives you the shape to add on both sides of your face fabric at the top, along with your preferred seam allowance.

Here’s the quick overview:

1. Build and String the Shade – Complete your Roman shade as usual.
   
2. Prepare the Return – Cut a rectangle of face fabric (pattern match if needed) to fit behind the return flap lying flat on your work table.
   
3. Stitch the Pocket – “Pillowcase” stitch the seams, turn the pocket right-side out, and insert your Skirtex pattern.
   
4. Trim and Finish – Stitch the return in place for a crisp, integrated look.
   

The result? A gorgeous Roman shade with folds and lift cords neatly hidden when retracted—clean, stylish, and professional.
We’re working on a full step-by-step guide with photos, but for now, this should give you a great head start.

A Clean Finish: Reasons to Add a Concealed Hem Grip to a Roman Shade

When building a Roman shade, sometimes a simple pull at the bottom hem isn’t ideal. Maybe you’ve added a decorative border, maybe there’s trim at the base, or maybe the fabric itself isn’t suited to constant handling. In any of these cases, adding a concealed hem grip can be a smart, elegant solution.

Some fabricators worry that incorporating a hidden grip will be complicated—but it doesn’t have to be. In fact, it's surprisingly simple.
​
In our May 29 Blog Post, we demonstrated one method using the face fabric itself to form a hem pocket. This approach keeps the shade’s bottom edge clean and uninterrupted—perfect for showcasing trim (above, left).

​If your shade features a border along the face (above, right), that method can be easily adapted. In one example, we used a 6-3/4" final bottom fold, with successive 4" folds building above it as the shade lifts (photo directly above). This kept the decorative border visible, while the hem grip remained hidden behind.  You can see how it looks when finished in the video below.

Here is a close-up of a different shade with a similar concealed hem that could either have a border or trim, and has a 6-3/4" bottom.

Prefer not to fold the face fabric at all? Another easy option is to create a pocket for the weight bar and grip using the lining fabric instead. Just tack or stitch it at the points where your bottom brass rings fall along the cord run.
​
No matter which method you choose, the result is the same: a crisp, polished bottom edge—and a discreet, functional way to raise and lower your beautifully finished shade.

A New, Compact 4-Cord Widget
Smaller Size, Same Smart Function
When we first launched our Widget line last September, the original 4-Cord Widget quickly became a go-to for heavier shades, thanks to its impressive 7.3 lb. capacity. But as many of you noticed, that strength came with a couple of drawbacks: it was a bit stiff to operate, and at 2 inches wide, it didn’t fit on the beloved 1 x 2 board that so many of our customers use for a slim headrail on their Roman shades.
​
So we went back to the drawing board.

After months of sourcing and testing, we’re excited to introduce a new, compact version of the 4-Cord Widget! This new model maintains a solid 5.3 lb. weight capacity—more than enough for most medium to heavy treatments—while slimming down to fit perfectly on a 1 x 2.

The lighter spring tension also makes for a smoother, more user-friendly pull, aligning better with the rest of our Widget lineup.
​
With this addition, our 2-Cord, 3-Cord, and now more compact 4-Cord Widgets all work more seamlessly together—offering flexibility, ease of installation, and consistent performance across your shade designs.

Check out the new specs (above, and on our website), and see how the new 4-Cord Widget fits into your projects. We think you’ll love the balance of size and strength!