I use one of those magnetic wands for playing BINGO to pick up pins, very strong magnet. I have one of those big cutting tables (36" X 60") that fold up to only 12" when closed and also have the cutting mat that fits on top of it.I drilled 2 holes on one edge of the mat and put screws in the wall behind where the cutting table stored, I hang the mat on the wall behind the table.When hand quilting I put several layers of fabric medical tape on the tip of my fingers. Works wonders. I can't quilt with thimbles.