Hello everyone,
I just recently purchased a Featherweight (1947) in it's original case. The machine is wonderful. The carrying case, however, is another story. How in the world do I get rid of the musty/mildewy smell of it? It must have been sitting in a basement/attic for years. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

How wonderful!!! I got mine last summer I took the case and set it outside . you could put a dryer sheet in it, but just face the fact - they smell. you can buy a new case for it , but expensive. I use mine alot so it stays out Have fun with it, it is a gem.
Donna

Thank you so much for you quick response. I will try your suggestions. No, I have not named "her" yet. I will soon. Thanks again.

May also try a good cleaning with a wood cleaning product and then maybe linseed or poly to seal the case. Be sure to let dry thoroughly. Otherwise check with a featherweight dealer..... :)

Years ago we were cleaning out my aunts house and we came upon her featherweight sewing machine with case. The case had that same musty odor you mentioned. My mother and I tried everything we could think of to get rid of that odor to no avail. Sunshine, newspaper, charcoal, you name it. We finally got rid of the machine. I still have our mother's machine. It has no odor and I presume it's because the machine was in almost constant use by my mother, two sisters and myself! I wish I had a happier ending to tell you about that sewing machine case. Sorry! Put the machine out and enjoy it and store the case far, far away.

this is not exactly on the topic but. . .

what is a featherweight machine and why are they so popular?

have seen them discussed in other place and just decided to ask :?:

Very lightweight sewing machine, very tough. Very popular with those quiltereses that like to go to quilt classes, quilt fairs, quilt demos. One was made by singer, one, (the grass hopper?) was made by Elna.

Me? I can carry a ?Bernina 830.

tim in san jose

http://www.quiltingboard.com/posts/list/439.page

check out the above topic. Ruth Camp posted a picture of her sewing machine. The featherweight looks very much like this. It's very portable.

Here is a picture of the machine. I hope I attached the picture correctly. I'm new at this. :-)

Last night I washed it throughly with Murphy soap. It does smell a little better. I'll keep working on it. I would hate to throw the case away. It came with both keys and it great shape.

Thanks for all the help. You ladies are fabulous.

Yvonne, thanks for the post (stay with me here :D ) linking back to your link to the Singer site for dating these machines. I discovered mine (not a featherweight) was made in 1904 in Elizabethtown, NJ. 8)

bj9patch, nice to have a picture of the case. I have a small one and it is in a wooden case...... It may take a little time but keep it cleaned and it will get as used to that as it did to the smell of the attic or wherever it had been kept. Congrats! You will enjoy it.
And as for Tim......Darlin', we like the lightweight ones so we can carry that much more fabric. I know the diff between it and my Bernina. ...about 10 yards :mrgreen: Now my purse is another matter....

Carla, I did the search but can't find the link for dating machines. can you point me to it, i'd like to see if i can find mine.
thanks
kathy

My mother used to wipe suitcases, etc. with half vinager and half water to get the musty smell out. Then, she would close them and leave a couple of raw potatos cut up in them for a couple of days. The musty smell went away. It works with onion smell and tupperware - so maybe it would work with your case.

Worth a try...

I think every few days, I will try each suggestion given. Thanks so much.

I am not sure what the case is made of but an old nurses trick is to wash with toothpaste, the white kind with as few additives as possible. it really works to remove odors.

It works on hands and other durable washable things.

PS thanks to all for the education about featherweights. me, i carried a Pfaff 1470, fabrics, cutting tools and book to class this past winter. guess there are advantages to being a big strong gal

are the featherweights valuable? i have gone to auctions around these parts where no one bids on old machines. i never have because i don't know what i am looking at.

fearthweights are hard to come by at a reasonal price they go around
$400 to $500. the parts are also expensive. they are very nice to sew on. the stitches are so even and smooth. someone decided to make them a collectable item. Donna

http://www.singerco.com/support/serial_numbers.html

Here you go Kathy. Let me know what find out.

I also had the same problem, I used charcoal in the box Solid charcoal closed the box, no luck. kitty litter for a week, no luck. fabric sheets, no luck. you name it, I tried it, with no luck. I no longer have the box!!! I hope you find how to solve the problem, I love the machine its great for when you take a class, light weight to carry, I bought a canvas bag works well!!! A very dear friend had a feather weight she bought brand new for $59.00 when they first came out smells wonderful.

When the fetherweight came on the market new they sold for $59.00 a lady that was in my quilt group bought it new and took very good care of it, smelled wonderful, it was passed down to her daughter, so it will stay in the family.

I put a bar of Irish Spring, a box of baking soda, and some dryer sheets in the box and just closed because the smell was making me nuts. It's been over a month and I'm afraid to open because I really don't think the smell has gone away. I did, however, buy a canvas bag from www.221parts.com. It's great. Since the smelly case is the original, I'll keep it in the closet, in the back, in the dark. :lol:

I just had to let you know, We put Irish spring soap in our garden to keep the deer out, it works good luck