Hi Troy

Looks like you're doing a _dandy_ job matching the stripes! Congratulations!

Now for a major confession. I always use pins about every 2" along the pleat and take them out as I go along. Don't tell Elsie this, because she always raps people's knuckles if you use more than one pin. So, it doesn't say to pin in the book because Elsie is so rabidly against it. But, I do it anyway. I've just found that I can pleat faster and more accurately if I put more pins in than just one at the waist - I find that I take out fewer pleats and that they're more perfect.

If I'm pleating to the stripe (or have a centered element in a pleat), I actually measure at each pin to make sure that the element is exactly centered. I find if I don't do that, the stripe tends to be closer to one side or the other.

Hope that helps!

Barb