Quilt show: 2008 featured quilter Marylee Drake
"It’s a quilt? I thought I made a bedspread!"
Yes, eleven years after her first effort, Marylee Drake discovered quilting. That bedspread was, indeed, a quilt. She just didn’t realize it’s implications for her future. Since then, it’s been non-stop. Not only is she an active member of Foothill Quilters Guild, she belongs to the Pine Tree Quilt Guild and the Mountain Art Quilt Group (a large mini-group).
Marylee and husband Jim travel around the country to classes, retreats, quilt shows, and exhibits. "Jim is my best buddy and partner," she says. "He absolutely supports my quilting and is my best and honest critic. He lets me know when my quilts are ho hum!" And that’s important to someone so anxious "to make fiber art that zings!"
Three grown children grace Marylee’s life. Tim, an English teacher and writer, lives in Taipei, Taiwan. Erin, who lives in Maryland with her husband and twin daughters, is expecting another baby in April. Christopher lives at home with his mother and Jim. Chris is an artist in his own right. As an individual with Downs Syndrome, Chris attends local special programs and activities which include opportunities to express himself through his art. Check with Marylee for local places exhibiting Chris’s work.
Quilting in all it's forms intrigues Marylee. What inspires her? "Sometimes it's the fabric or the pattern. Sometimes I just want to try a special technique. Sometimes it's the teacher and her or his work." Marylee’s fascinated with value, contrast and color. She loves the entire process; whether it’s the therapeutic exercise of sitting at the machine and piecing a block, designing and choosing colors, or relaxing in front of the TV with a needle in her hand and a project in her lap. "Appliqué is a wonderful ‘take-along’ and Hawaiian appliqué is the best!"
Marylee enjoys a variety of quilting techniques and styles from traditional to improvisational art. She was recently honored to have one of her quilts featured in Rhapsody Quilts, the latest quilt book by Ricky Tims.
Throughout the years Marylee has held numerous Guild positions ranging from organizing Discovery Days, Workshops and Challenges, to marketing Opportunity Quilts and working on the Quilt Show. She has served as Secretary and President in 
2-year stints each time. Most recently Marylee has chaired the committee to design and make the 2008 FQG Opportunity Quilt — one of her favorite achievements. She has also taught a number of quilt-related classes, including reversible table runners, a naked-lady needle case, little silk beaded purses, fabric postcards and "the big shirt."
Marylee declares that each position she’s held has been great fun. I suspect anyone who has worked with Marylee has felt the fun she brings to every pursuit.
Congratulations Marylee on being chosen Featured Quilter of the Year — you add "Zing" to all our Guild endeavors!
by Pat McCandless