Thanks, everyone, for your tips/comments/suggestions.
I've been going over every open seam and, well, I think I'm learning a lesson!
I will most definitely shorten my stitch length!
Yes! I do have a chocolate lab in my avatar.
Her name is Stella (and loves when we scream it like A Streetcar Named Desire - we're hoping to never lose her in the rain!)
She hates sewing days - she'll stand at the doorway of the studio and whine. Poor thing! She'd rather go hiking!
Thanks again, everyone, for the support and commiseration!
Lesson learned!