Oh my.... I am very new to the forum and to attempt kilt making, so please excuse me for jumping in here. I use a particular brand of "flat head flower pins" made by a company called Clover. They are extra long, very slender, and designed for quilters so the pin head is absolutely flat on the fabric with no distortion as with the round heads. I will add a link to them if anyone is interested, I have not learned how to post photos yet, sorry. The only caveat is do not try and iron too close to them.

As far as pin placement in relation to seams, I was always taught (and have learned the hard way, ouch) to place a pin parallel to the fabric edge, with the point in the direction the fabric is being fed. Aside for the mechanics of holding the fabric, this assures that the operator will not sew over a pin at speed. Sooner or later the law of averages (and looming sewing deadlines) guarantees the sewing machine needle will whack dead center onto the offending pin.

When that happens, you will:

a. have a machine that is out of commission till it can be retimed by a knowledgeable person, or
b. be picking bits of broken needle shrapnel out of your face and being very happy you had on glasses, or
c. both of the above

Thanks for all the knowledge you share,

Valerie