The present invention provides a shade assembly which comprises a shade fabric and a plurality of battens arranged vertically with respect to one another, each batten aligned horizontally along the fabric and forming a pleat therewith. A plurality of spacers are also provided which are coupled to and positioned adjacently to one of the plurality of battens in a direction perpendicular to a plane of the shade fabric. The plurality of spacers maintains the plurality of battens in a substantially vertical arrangement when the shade fabric is drawn into an open position.