First, don't pin a lot. Once you open the bridge put a pin in the center. Stick your finger in the fabric and get the excess out. Put a pin halfway between the center point and the end as well as the end. Don't worry about the other half just yet. Startin at the end, begin sewing to the center and stop sewing at the center with the needle down. Put your finger in the fabric and get the excess fabric out and put a pin in the end. Continue stitching to the end. You shouldn't have any pleats.