The Natural History Museum in London holds over 80 million natural history specimens — one of the most extraordinary scientific and cultural collections in the world. This cross stitch kit is part of a range developed in partnership with the museum, bringing their iconic natural history imagery into a craft context that celebrates the beauty of the natural world stitch by stitch.
The design features buntings — the small, brightly coloured seed-eating birds known for the intensity of their plumage and their association with open countryside, farmland, and hedgerow habitats. As a subject for cross stitch, birds of this kind are ideal: compact, colourful, and full of the kind of natural detail that the medium rewards. The design is worked on Aida fabric and set in a 13.5cm screw-adjustable hoop that doubles as a display frame once the piece is finished.
Everything required to complete the project is included in the kit, with detailed instructions specifying exactly which thread colours to use at each stage — making it accessible to complete beginners while being a genuinely pleasing project for more experienced stitchers too. The NHM collection sits a step above the standard Simply Make range in design quality and subject matter, and makes a particularly thoughtful gift for anyone who loves birds, nature, or the Natural History Museum.
What's in the kit? 13.5cm screw-adjustable hoop, Aida fabric, assorted threads, needles, needle threader, cross stitch chart, and detailed instructions specifying thread colours and quantities throughout.
Is it suitable for beginners? Yes. The instructions include full guidance on thread colour and quantity, and the cross stitch chart makes it straightforward to follow even without prior experience. Cross stitch is one of the most accessible embroidery techniques to learn and this kit provides everything needed to get started.
What are buntings? Buntings are a family of small, often brightly coloured seed-eating birds found across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. In Britain, species such as the Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting, and Corn Bunting are familiar countryside birds. The Natural History Museum's extensive ornithological collections include specimens from bunting species worldwide, making them a natural subject for this range.
Can the finished piece be displayed in the hoop? Yes — the 13.5cm hoop is screw-adjustable, designed to hold the fabric taut during stitching and to serve as a display frame once the piece is complete. Simply trim the excess fabric neatly around the back of the hoop once finished.
Is this part of a wider Natural History Museum cross stitch range? Yes — the NHM cross stitch range includes a number of designs inspired by the museum's natural history collections, including other bird and wildlife subjects. The range is produced in partnership with the Natural History Museum, with imagery drawn from their collections and archives.
