Swatch / pattern alignment

I have a pattern I use frequently that is a B&W diagonal stripe. This is used in fairly small areas and for print (as shading for bar graphs and such).
Recently my client noted that where the pattern tiles, the ends of the lines do not align perfectly and so there's almost a moire pattern where the ends meet.
I wish to make this a seamless pattern but not sure how to do it. I know the basics of pattern making but have searched online in vain for the answer to this one. All responses appreciated.
Leslie

Create a generous area of your diagonal lines, using the alignment tools to make sure the lines are perfectly spaced. (One way would be to copy paste a bunch of verticle lines, align, then rotate to the desired angle) Turn on Smart Guides (ctrl-u), then use the rectangle tool to draw a rectangle across the section of the pattern. Start the rectangle on one line (smart guides will help make this precise) and make sure the rectangle corner on the same horizontal plane as the first point ends at another line. Make sure the lower points also end on lines. Make the rectangle no stroke and no fill and send to the back. Delete lines that do not cross over or touch the rectangle. Select all and define the pattern.
Actually, after posting the above, I ran through the steps and found that my tiles were not perfect. By using outline view and working zoomed in I was able to get them very near perfect.
Generally, there is a better way to create patterns (Provided by Teri Petit) using the Effect > Distort and Transform > Transform palette, but for your type of pattern, the above is the best way.

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