Actually this isn't true anymore. According to the MSDS sheets for Elmer's school glue, it's now made of polyvinyl acetate.

Wasn't there some sort of children's toy that had cheap foam pellets? A Nerf gun, maybe? Seems to me I read somewhere that this was an inexpensive alternative to the Pinmoors.

If you can't order them on the internet, maybe your friend could simply find them at a Joann's store nearby.

If you have the equivalent of a £1 store, you can buy foam curlers for you hair. They are 1/2 in in diameter 10-12 inches long. They look like long skinny sausages, you can cut them into 1/2 pieces and use them. Before I recently converted to temporary spray adhesive (505 spray) I preferred to use the avery tacking gun rather than pins. Just another alternative for you

I am amazed you comment on not doing overseas. I purchased my pinmores from USA sent to UK. Try amazon they will send to most of world. If you do buy just check there overseas shipping cost with some there is a sting in the tail. Good luck.

Like DOTTYMO, I have a lot of notions shipped from the US. Nancy's Notions have them and will ship internationally as will Sew It All (100 pack). I'm sure there are others too.

Here's a couple of alternatives

http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...s-t184082.html
http://www.quiltersclubofamerica.com...81/264769.aspx