Oh my goodness, I was informed to use my heel on the button as this was the correct way. I was using the ball of of my foot. I love my featherweight, but I must admit, I do not like the foot pedal. I guess it is whatever is the most comfortable for you.
While I was making blocks for a quilt on my fw, the machine was slipping around on the table, so I put a piece of the rubber shelf liner that has dimples under my machine, it keeps my machine right in place.
I have also been working on the musty odor in my case. I have cleaned the case on the inside and outside with clorox and water mixture, set it in the sun for several days, left it open while it is in my sewing room, and thankfully, almost all of the smell is gone.
Aren't this machine grand, I love mine.