Use your even feed foot - I find that the binding doesn't stretch the fabric creating gaps.
I have been sewing bindings for over 15 years and yes, I love doing it. I don't use straight pins (God help me if I get blood on the fabric! oh- and I don't like pain either). In order to help hold the binding down while you whip stitch it, there are tools to assist with that chore. Check with your local quilt shop. But for me, I sew my binding on the back and stitch it to the front with my machine. Easy-peasy.