Pleating question

I'm currently making a dress with an empire waist. The top of the skirt part of the dress is supposed to be pleated to go together with the bodice. But I can't seem to get it right because my skirt ends up too narrow and either won't fit or does'nt fit together with the bodice.

Is there a step I'm missing? Or is there a special technique. Any help is appreciated. I'm pretty new to this so.......

Thanks everyone.

Don't get discouraged, pleats can be a little tricky but with patience you can do it!

It's hard to help without knowing a little more like the pattern number or a link to the pattern picture? Is it off by a lot or just a little?

I haven't worked with pleats much, but I just stared a skirt with pleats.  It looks like each piece has a mark as to where you need to sew the piece together in order to make the pleat.  if you are off just a 1/4" on each piece, but the time you get all the pleats sewn, your skirt will not fit.  I would double check all your markings to be sure they are correct and then check your seams. 

Here's what I would do.  Bear in mind that I prefer sewing pattern free so it's not exact.
Lay out your bodice piece on a cork board or your ironing board, Something you can pin into.  Then lay your skirt piece below it.  Line up the edges of your skirt piece with the edges of your bodice piece and then eye ball it.  Fold and pin your pleats so they look right to you.  Now, iron it to mark what you've done,  Unpin and unfold everything and check with a ruler how close to accurate you were.  I find that I'm usually within a quarter of an inch when I do it this way.
If you need to, make adjustments and re-press to mark your changes.  When you're satisfied, baste it and check how it lines up with your bodice piece before you stitch it up for good.
I hope that was helpful.