I too use the 3 pin method. If you worry about sewing over them, well, simply slide them out right before you get to them. So close to the needle, and especially if it is under the press foot, it shouldn't slip. If you have a walking foot, I sometimes use that when sewing blocks together, especially when I have sashing and it would look ugly for things not to line up. Or if possible decrease the press foot pressure, some of the newer machines let you do that. I had an old Kenmore that you could turn something at the top and it would decrease the pressure. Hope this helps! Hang in there and good luck.