I have "raided the pantry" a time or seventeen~! Tuna cans, Spam, all kinds of sardines and kippers work well. I have some glass "frogs" for vases that I use often. I have some ceramic disks that used to be used under furniture legs when you shampooed carpets and they are wonderful. All are heavy enough that patterns don't slip off grain. I never pin anymore....I have, on occasion, used the rotary cutter, a ruler, pair of scissors and the pin magnet for weights!