The interaction of a gravity-driven water film with an evolving solid substrate (calcite or ice) results in the formation of fascinating wavy patterns similar both in caves and in ice-falls. Due to their remarkable similarity, we adopt a unified approach in the study of pattern formation of longitudinally oriented organ-pipe-like structures, called flutings. Since the morphogenesis of cave patterns can evolve for millennia, they have an additional value as silent repositories of past climates. Fluting formation is studied with the aid of gradient expansion and center manifold projection. In particular, through gradient expansion, a Benney-type equation accounting for the movable boundary is obtained. The coupling with a wall evolution equation provides a morphodynamic model for fluting formation, explored through linear and nonlinear analyses. In this way, closed relationships for the selected wave number and for the finite amplitude are achieved. However, as finite-amplitude monochromatic waves may be destabilized by nonlinear interactions with other modes, we verify, through center manifold projection, the stability of the fundamental to subharmonic disturbances. Conclusively, we perform numerical simulations of the fully nonlinear equations to validate the theory results.