Obituary: Textile artist Abigail Mill dies aged 54

Abigail Mill was known in the UK and beyond for her exquisitely embroidered artwork, depicting the East Anglian coast and countryside. 

She was the winner of numerous accolades at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, including the coveted Four Gold Stars, and was a frequent exhibitor at Hampton Court, Tatton Park and RHS Wisley. She also presented her work more locally at the Royal Norfolk Show, Burnham Market and Blackthorpe Barns.    

With her artwork (Image: Newsquest)

Abigail also wrote and illustrated embroidery books, including 2021’s Waveney Valley Wildlife, inspired by her return to the area.

She was diagnosed with a brain tumour earlier this year, and died on July 20. 

Born in London, Abigail grew up on the Norfolk and Suffolk border. She had a life-long passion for arts and crafts, especially those involving textiles. 

She attended the Cumbria College of Art and Design, before winning a Prince’s Trust grant and launching her business from a studio on Muspole Street, Norwich. 

Her unique, self-developed embroidery technique saw her layer, hand-dye and embroider fabrics to create landscapes and other colourful imagery. 

Local beaches, boats, beach huts and seals featured in many of her pieces.

As her business grew she exhibited in New York and San Francisco, as well as across the UK. Her artwork was also used to create limited-edition giclée prints, giftware and cards. 

In recent years Abigail returned to her roots and moved from Norwich to Redenhall, in the Waveney Valley, where she ran workshops and held open studio events with her partner, sculptor David Meredith. 

Following the December 2020 floods, which damaged her studio and destroyed much of her work, she founded the Redenhall Flood Group and campaigned tirelessly for improved flood protection in the Waveney area. 

Her artwork (Image: Newsquest)

It was on December 23 that year when water began to creep into homes at 11.55pm. By 12.30am the electricity was off, and villagers were facing raging waters in total darkness. 

After a month’s worth of rainfall fell in one day, Starston Beck burst its bank, and the surface water from surrounding fields inundated village houses. 

The community came together, rescuing and rehoming elderly residents on the night of the flooding and later forming the action group to call for immediate action. 

Abigail’s studio, which had been used to store the only stock she had left, housed precious treasures collected over a lifetime which were damaged by floodwater.  

Original artwork was also damaged, and old art school portfolios had to be taken away by insurers to rescue. 

Abigail’s sister Sam Mill said: “Abbi inspired everyone who met her and encouraged them to follow their creative dreams. 

“She was always at the heart of the community wherever she went.   

“In moving back to the Waveney Valley, Abbi returned to her happy place from childhood memories, a place from which she drew inspiration for her artwork. 

“She filled our worlds with colour, light, joy and laughter.   

“The world will be a less colourful place without her brilliance.” 

Abigail Mill with her dog in the Waveney Valley (Image: Newsquest)

As well as her partner Dave, Abigail leaves her daughters Amy and Bunny, parents Gerry and Cass, sister Sam, twin brother Casper, sister-in-law Penny, nephews and niece Gus, Rory and Iona, and dog Monty. 

Abigail was a keen supporter of many charities.  

The Big Pants to Cancer sponsored walk, from Hunstanton to Cromer. is being held in her memory from September 12 to 15 to raise money for the Big C, her chosen charity.