Bought my featherweight from a co workers MIL. She had it in her basement for something like 30 years. IT SMELLED of basement!! But after cleaning, it turned out fine. Getting the musty smell out of the case was the worst. Finally with lots of fabric softeners and sitting in the sunshine (at 100°) it finally lost its smell. Love that little machine for taking to classes etc. Paid $100 for it. Think I got a bargain as she said all she ever used it for was to make pj's for her kids.