Photo Credit: Stacy Faulkner,
Garden Baby, Ruston, LA
Garden Baby, Ruston, LA
One of the most popular variations on a classic flat Roman shade is the waterfall — or cascading — stack. When the shade is raised, instead of folding flat, the fabric gathers into a series of soft, rolling folds that drape beautifully at the top of the window. It's an elegant effect, and with the Widget, it's surprisingly simple to achieve.
What Creates the Cascade?
The secret is a small spacer placed on the ladder tape and cord between each pair of tack points. As the shade is raised, each fold stacks up against the one ahead of it, stopped short by its spacer — creating that signature cascade rather than a tight, flat stack.
An easy way to know the length of stack you are creating is to multiply the number of spaces by the size of each segment. Make sure your stack is not deeper than you want BEFORE you start to build!
The secret is a small spacer placed on the ladder tape and cord between each pair of tack points. As the shade is raised, each fold stacks up against the one ahead of it, stopped short by its spacer — creating that signature cascade rather than a tight, flat stack.
An easy way to know the length of stack you are creating is to multiply the number of spaces by the size of each segment. Make sure your stack is not deeper than you want BEFORE you start to build!
What to Use as Spacers
No need for any specialized (and more costly) hardware. A simple length of ½" plastic tubing — the kind readily available at any home improvement store — cut into ½" or 1" segments works beautifully. The length you choose determines the depth of the cascade: longer spacers create a deeper, more dramatic fold; shorter ones keep it subtle and refined. A perforated wooden bead is another charming option that can add a decorative touch where the hardware is visible.
No need for any specialized (and more costly) hardware. A simple length of ½" plastic tubing — the kind readily available at any home improvement store — cut into ½" or 1" segments works beautifully. The length you choose determines the depth of the cascade: longer spacers create a deeper, more dramatic fold; shorter ones keep it subtle and refined. A perforated wooden bead is another charming option that can add a decorative touch where the hardware is visible.
How to Install Them
When laying out your threaded ladder tape, pass each cord and length of tape through as many spacers as you have folds, and repeat for every cord across the width of the shade. As you tack the ladder tape at each fold, make sure exactly one spacer sits between each pair of tack points. The spacers are intentionally free to slide — that movement is what makes the system work.
When laying out your threaded ladder tape, pass each cord and length of tape through as many spacers as you have folds, and repeat for every cord across the width of the shade. As you tack the ladder tape at each fold, make sure exactly one spacer sits between each pair of tack points. The spacers are intentionally free to slide — that movement is what makes the system work.
The Finished Result
Once your shade is complete, knotted off, and the pin is pulled, do the Widget Wiggle to retract the shade. Each fold will rise until it meets its spacer and gently stop — leaving you with a beautiful, effortless cascade.
Simple materials, a little planning, and a lot of elegance. That's the Widget way.
Once your shade is complete, knotted off, and the pin is pulled, do the Widget Wiggle to retract the shade. Each fold will rise until it meets its spacer and gently stop — leaving you with a beautiful, effortless cascade.
Simple materials, a little planning, and a lot of elegance. That's the Widget way.
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