This worked for me, and my case smelled so bad that I couldn't keep it in the house! Take the machine out of the case (you are going to be sewing with it, after all) and put a couple tablespoons of ground coffee in the case. I used a couple of the Senseo coffee packs (the one cup coffee maker size) but if you don't have the individual coffee packets, put a couple tablespoons of ground coffee in a filter and tie it up into a little bundle. Then I put the case in the trunk of my car. I left it in the trunk for a week, baking in the sun. When I took the case back in the house, there was no more smell, and just a slight coffee smell. Make sure the car is in the sun, so the trunk really heats up.

Also, if it is a black FW, there is a felt drip pad in the base of the machine. Remove the bottom and remove the pad (it is probably glued to the bottom, so remove it carefully), and glue a new pad to the bottom. Rubber cement is the recommended glue for this.

In addition, if there is any old grease on the gears, remove it with a Q-tip swab and apply new lubricant. Be sure to use the lubricant, not oil on the gears. The old grease sometimes holds the smell, so removing it and relubing the machine will help with the smell and with the operation of the machine.

You can get replacement pads and lubricant at 221Parts.com.

The smell is caused by a mold in the glue they used when manufacturing case and gluing the lining on the inside. You have to kill the mold or the smell will never go away. Some of the methods will help temporarily, but as long as there is any mold alive in case, the odor will come back.

Hope this helps.

Is your dog a blue heeler? We had one for 16 years. Sure do miss her.

You lucky girl!!! I'm so jealous.....of the Featherweight and your husband...LOL My DH wouldn't have any idea WHAT a Featherweight was let alone buy one for me :)

A few pieces of charcoal will do the job.I put a whole bag of charcoal in my husbands jeep and it did a fine job and it really did work.

WOW, where do you get a husband like that. Good job. Did you get it at the flea market in Commerce City. I have never seen a featherweight there. Dang, I wish I could get a featherweight. Enjoy yours. P.S. Nice looking cattle dog also.

some advise fabric sheets too, sit in sun open with sheets

Leave the case in the sun for a couple weeks. The sun
and clean air can do wonders. I have a lot of allergies and sit stuff in the sun for months before they are outgassed enough so I can use them. The hottest days of summer are the best!

Here is the best site I have ever found for getting the real scoop on maintaining your Featherweight......stinky case included.....http://featherweight221.com/ I have no affiliation....just a very happy user. I did order the DVD's and do all the maintenance on my own machine now. I, personally, have not had to deal with the smelly case, but it is not an uncommon problem. Hope this helps :-)

You could try crumpled up newspaper. It works on Tupperware.

If you have some Mexican vanilla, try saturating a paper towel, place in a small bowl, and close the lid for a day or two. [After removing the machine of course!]

I bought a bag of kitty litter and put it in the case - left it in for over 2 weeks. Don't smell now.