Yes, it will easily go through the 3 layers &, as Carrie said, the hole is "erasable" but it will also vanish when washed. I didn't buy the grid, & haven't felt the need. I use my hand to feel for the point, just as you would with pins or a needle & thread, on small quilts. You could use a baseball (or something like that) to just roll under your layers to the area you want to baste for larger sizes.