The classes are conducted by Larry Klope, a local man with a hobby of repairing and working with vintage sewing machines, and other volunteers. Klope operates the Knit & Stitch in the Antique Village and is sometimes seen manning a station at various community events, showing off machines that stitch leather or make socks.

The four-week courses held on Thursdays next month (June 4, 11, 18 and 25) will use modern sewing machines to teach the practical art to students over the age of nine years old, including adults. There are two levels, beginner and intermediate.

Both levels meet for an hour on each Thursday and will be offered concurrently at 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. EDT on the Upper Peninsula State Fairgrounds. Four one-hour classes will be offered — level one is for beginners, and level two requires level one or equivalent.

Level one classes include learning the basics of the sewing machine, machine safety, making basic machine adjustments, getting ready to sew, making seams, ironing and completing simple projects — making a gift bag, tote bag and pillow case.

In this photo taken June 13, 2024, a student carefully operates a Singer sewing machine during the debut class held at the Antique Village. The third year of classes begin next week, on June 4. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press file)

Level two also includes four lessons, and students will make elastic-waist lounge paints. During the first session of level two, students will learn pattern reading, making measurements, pattern copying, pattern layout. Students in level two will be given instructions for buying fabric and thread, which they will need to bring to the June 11 class in order to lay out and cut fabric. Lesson three includes a sewing project, and lesson four includes finishing, making flat seams and sewing elastic.

When the Antique Village first introduced the classes in 2024, it was done so because Klope and other members of the textile guild (a subgroup of the Steam and Gas Engine Association) felt that younger generations were not being exposed to the skill. The class was a hit, and people asked for additional ones. But this year, the course is far from filled up, with a number of seats still available, Klope said on Wednesday.

To register for classes or ask questions, anyone interested may call Larry Klope at 906-280-8578. Outlines of class topics area available on the U.P. Steam and Gas Engine Association website at www.upsteamandgasengine.org.

The U.P. Steam & Gas Engine Association will be offering sewing classes in the Antique Village this June. In this photo, Larry Klope -- who leads the class -- stitches leather using a Singer 29, a machine nicknamed the “patcher.” (Daily Press file photo by R. R. Branstrom)