301 Trapezoid case
 

I found a 301 case at the senior center thrift store for 5.00. No machine inside boohoo, but I decided to grab the case anyway. ;) I didn't realize they have the same stinky issue as the Featherweight cases, or at least mine does! The glue is letting go of the fabric in places on the inside and I would like to catch it up. What glue would you recommend?

Christy,

There are lots of glues, but my favorite is Elmer's Carpenters Wood Glue. There is two versions, one is water resistant when dry, that's the one I use.

Lots of clamping and once dry it will take an act of congress for it to come apart again.

Joe

Thanks Joe. I will look an see which one I have. Uh, it's the interior type, but I've used it before on other types of cases so I'm probably ok for it on this too.

Seems like any machine that has that oil drip pad has the capacity to stink. I had 301 in the trapezoid case and it made me nauseous every time I opened the case.

The case looks to be in great shape. I don't know much about the smell except I used Irish Spring Soap chips in my featherweight case which helped a lot. I may have to do it again because there is still a slight musty smell inside.

That case looks to be in great condition. Congrats on the find!

Thanks! I wasn't so sure and then looked around at others on-line and decided it really is in pretty good condition. I', glad I went back for it. Would you believe I left it there overnight because of the smell? I slept on it and then went back the next morning and was happy to find it still there!

Nice looking case. Are you sure it's the 301 case? You do know there's a bigger one too for full size machines.

Cari

Couldn't help myself but your avatar is the sewing machine my grandmother taught me on. Fond memories - how she she loved that machine as it was a work horse.

Cari, I'm pretty sure it is. Are there other cases that are similar? I read there were 2 sizes of grasscloth cases. Mine is the smaller size. The 301 fits with just a tiny bit of room around it, so little that the handle has to be in the down position. It has a metal divider on the side so the cord and foot controller fit up top and a spot for the attachments box on the bottom.

Ahh nice memories huh? That's another thing I love about vintage machines..how they still up such nice memories of mothers and grandmothers happily sewing away.

I had a case like that. I have my 301. Less than 20 years ago, I gave it away to some rummage sale or thrift store. BooHoo.

Aww that's a bummer. Maybe that's what happened with mine? I was thinking perhaps someone passed on and a daughter might have taken the machine but the case was tossed because no one else knew what it was.

A great steal at that price!

My cases have a different shape than this one.

I love that case .... ( the heart icon <3 is blocking the rest of the text and edits...?! Never mind then :-) )

A FW repair man recommends Safeguard soap, 1/2cake, still in the box for deodorizing. I put mine outside on sunny days. Sun seems to help the most. When the machine is out of the case, charcoal briquettes, well protected. Otherwise, they mail soil. Some have said Lysol spray, but that causes wetting, so follow with sunning, quickly. I don't carry my 301 in the case because it is too heavy for me.

Thank you Donna. I tried sunning my Featherweight case this summer but it didn't make a big difference. It did reduce the smell though. It's far to rainy and cold here lately so I will give the soap a try. ;)

Wadded up Newspaper. I tried that with a seemingly hopeless purse after nothing else worked. I used the purse last week :-) . No nasty smell.

Bars of soap really do work. I have found the handmade/essential oil type the best. I also distribute them through my stash. By storing the soap this way it dries out a little and when you use it it lasts longer.

What a terrific find! It's always nice when you find something at a great price. Gives it a positive feeling when you use it, as opposed to paying too much and feeling a tinge of regret.

I save the little silica packets that come in everything and place them in my sewing cases. They help keep the musties out.

What shape are they?

We tried all sorts of things in our FW case. What finally worked was ceder chips in a perforated bag.

Joe

Wow, great find! Just yesterday I was lamenting that I have 7 301's and since most came out of cabinets, I only have two with cases and the case are in sorry shape! I'm always intrigued by what people find in their thrift stores and GW, etc. I have never found any sewing related items. Maybe there's too. Many SM enthusiasts like me in my area. :rolleyes: