AT most major fabric stores, you can find quilting pins that have a slight bend to them. Small, sharp, made just for the purpose of quilting. I ONLY use warm and natural batting since it is 100% cotton, is great & almost 'flat' - not a huge fluff in it. The pins are put in as you have a friend help you 'sandwich, pull, straighten, pat it with love, and then pin. Take a stroll down the quilting aisle - don't be afraid to ask questions of someone who is either a quilting shop clerk, nor someone who is a oldie quilting maker. Read all you can - library books help a lot! Most of all sing a lil'song, do a lil' dance as you sew along, making 'love' for someone to smile, think of you and just the feeling of 'ahhh!' Sorry that I'm so 'windy!'