I am beginning to use my mid-arm quilter, and really wanted to buy the expensive plugs that go on the pins to pin baste the quilt. Well, $ are tight, so we went to home depot and got DAP Caulk Backer Rod for around $4.00, and cut it into 1/2 " pieces. There is about 900 per pkg, and it works the same as those other things. Just thought you'd like to know.