the easiest way to avoid this is to use a decorative stitch. My favorite is one that is a bit wavy and has a tiny leaf. It will catch everything and if done with a variegated thread, it can add a nice touch. I often find myself sewing very late at night and the old eyes don't want to work that well that late! If the top screams for a straight stitch, just go very slowly and keep looking at your stitch line underneath so that you are sewing either directly on top of it or a thread or two next to that line. You could take the time and pin it like crazy, but I do not have the patience for that (the same reason I do not hand sew the binding!). I am in awe of all the folks who do hand sew it and if entering it in a show, I know I will have to - but for now.......