Venting helped - thank you all so much.
Changed the stitchplate back and reattached the 1/4" foot AND SLAMMED THE NEXT NEEDLE as I still was on the deco stitch!
I figured just to do it as simple as possible and the way I do it on a real gift box. I like it and hopefully it will find its place on the three skirt.
Yoyo would be a great idea, will have to try it out.