Confession: I am completely unorganized when I sew. The truth - I'm unorganized about everything, but, I can organize other peoples stuff very well! That's because they have to maintain the organization, not me!
On pins:
Try putting your pins in the fabric vertically (pointing from the front of your machine toward the back) instead of horizontally (pointing from the side of your machine toward the needle), and put them in at least 1/2 - 3/4 inch from the sewing machine needle point. (The pins must be clear of both the foot and the needle.)
This works very well; you don't sew over pins and you don't have to pull the pins out of the fabric until you're done sewing.
Caution - this probably won't work on curves or very small pieces.
I also use elmers washable glue, and that works fine.
Last edited by cathyvv; 04-04-2013 at 03:53 PM.