'Ugly Quilt' sleeping bags for the homeless

Irene Blattel, left, Ellen Seyer, Nancy Weissmueller, Fat Sturn and Karla Schaefer work on an "Ugly Quilt," which will become a sleeping bag for a homeless person, at an all-day workshop at the De Paul Center in Cape Girardeau.

The project began several years ago, under the direction of Therese Pierce, a member of St. Vincent's Council of Catholic Women. She has since died, but her influence is felt and men and women continue to make more than 200 sleeping bags, gloves, scarves, caps and other items donated by area supporters.

Every fall the workshop is held the last weekend of October at the De Paul Center, with mini-workshops held throughout the year.