Thanks for the suggestions. I shortened my stitch length to 1.0 as QuiltE suggested and folded the paper then carefully "tore" from the center. That seems to work. So far no stitches pulled out on the 8 HST that I just did.
Guess I'm a go for the remaining 180 or so. I have the 2nd tool you showed "petthefabric" so I may do that too on my next batch to play it safe.
I knew I could count on this Board for help. Thanks so much.