Quilters of all skill levels will converge on the tiny community of Jabez in southeastern Kentucky Jan. 23-27 for the Jabez Quilt Seminar, an annual marathon of classes, workshops and presentations sponsored by the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service. Nancy Odom, a nationally known quilt designer and author, will be the featured teacher.

“This seminar is actually going to be bigger than what we’ve had in the past,” said Hazel Jackson, family and consumer sciences agent for the Extension office in Rockcastle County, where Jabez is located. “Our capacity is 125 and we are going to reach that this year.”

Featuring well-known teachers such as Odom has increased interest in the annual event, but Jackson said the variety of skill levels addressed at the seminar has also become a major draw.

“Some newer quilters might be intimidated by taking classes that aren’t specifically beginner level. We make sure we offer not only more advanced classes but things that people that are newer to quilting can take, too,” she said.

The event begins at 8 a.m. Jan. 23 and will include both half-day and full-day workshops conducted by Odom and others. It will be held at the Kentucky Leadership Center, which is joining Extension and Kentucky Interested Quilters in sponsoring the event.

A variety of techniques will be taught, including machine piecing, hand and machine appliqué, and innovative design and color. In addition to Odom, who has published four quilting books, experienced quilting teachers from Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio will be on hand.

Although several classes have already reached capacity, including those to be taught by Odom, there are classes still open for registration. To register or for more information, contact Jackson at the Rockcastle County Extension Office, 1050 W. Main St., Mount Vernon, Ky., 40456, 606-256-2403, hjackson@uky.edu.