It is more likely to have been secured/attached(?) with pins.

http://images.wisegeek.com/straight-pins.jpg - pins

or http://www.safetypinswholesale.com/wp-content... - safety pins

http://www.jdr-be.com/Notions/darner-needle-s... - needles

secured by pins

would be possible, e.g. (AE); I probably wouldn't use needles

Smokie, Needles and pins (1977). Aus der Rock-Prähistorik,,,

I saw her today, I saw her face, it was a face I loved, and I knew

I had to run away, and get down on my knees and pray that they'd go away

But still they'd begin (uh), needles and pins (uh)

Because of all my pride, the tears I gotta hide

Hey I thought I was smart, I'd won her heart

Didn't think I'd do, but now I see

She's worse to him than me, let her go ahead

Take his love instead, and one day she will see

Just how to say please, and get down on her knees

Hey that's how it begins (uh), she'll feel those needles and pins

A-hurtin' her, a-hurtin' her

Why can't I stop and tell myself I'm wrong, I'm wrong, so wrong

Why can't I stand up and tell myself I'm strong

Because I saw her today, I saw her face, it was a face I loved, and I knew

I had to run away, and get down on my knees and pray that they'd go away

But still they'd begin (uh), needles and pins (uh)

Because of all my pride, the tears I gotta hide

I agree by is also possible; I had more of a problem with needles :-)

In BE, it's usually pins and needles for the sewing aids and the tingling feeling; the nervous feeling meaning isn't that common in the UK, in my experience.