Frocktober is Australia’s is a month-long fundraiser created by the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation (OCRF) to raise awareness and funds for vital ovarian cancer research. If you have been following for a while you will know that we have taken on the Frocktober challenge of wearing a different dress every day in October. We take the challenge of wearing a me made dress every day in October in support the OCRF.
Frocktober Day 1 – Navy Gingham to start us off for casual Sunday frocks 👗
Lauren wears a vintage McCalls Boxy dress
Erin wears Helens Closet Ashton Top hacked into a dress with a three tier gathered skirt
Navy Gingham is from SpotlightFrocktober Day 2 – We converted McCall’s 8161 (previously McCall’s 7542) into a boxy dress by adding two gathered tiers in this printed poplin from SpotlightDay 2 – Senna Dress from Schultz Apparel in Dutch print cotton found at Afrodesigns.co.uk African Queen Fabrics at Brixton Markets in London.Frocktober Day 3 – This dress brings together some of our favourite features from three Sewdirect Australia patterns Vogue 1743 Butterick 6016 Butterick 6410 in navy polished cotton provided by MinervaFrocktober Day 3 – A version of Vogue 9201 in May Gibbs from Spotlight that was a gift from our high school textiles tea,cher, Gayle O’Keefe for Lauren’s birthdayFrocktober Day 4: Lauren pulled out one of her favourite Know Me 2016 from Sewdirect Australia in polished cotton purchased from Super Cheap Fabrics early in the month. Was this a frock risk wearing it so soon when we plan to wear a different frock everyday this month? Possibly but there are plenty more frocks to choose from.Frocktober Day 5: We got this material from DK Fabrics on a Fabric Hunt road trip with @stitchesandsutures over New Year in 2020, what a trip! It did take three years to make buy here it is in Sewdirect Australia Simplicity 9225Frocktober Day 5: This gorgeous print is a Minerva exclusive print and aren’t the colours just wonderful! We are on a mission to sew more work wear so chose Sewdirect Australia Vogue 9328Frocktober Day 6: Fear not there are a few more Know Me ME2016 from Sewdirect Australia on the frock rack yet. This one is a whimsical purple print from MinervaFrocktober Day 7: A night out at NGV with @sophia_rasch wearing purple floral from Mood Fabrics in Simplicity 8733 and Know Me ME2016 from Sewdirect Australia in May Gibbs (or nakie babies as we call it) from SpotlightFrocktober Day 8: Lovely sewing day in the studio!
@ritchie_robyn Vogue 1511 in linen blend from Super Cheap Fabrics
@sophia_rasch in blue corduroy
@ezziekr New Look 6694 in Little Johnny Fabrics fabric provided by Minerva
@lozziejr Simplicity 1651 in cotton print from Spotlight
@stitchesandsutures
New Look 6446 in linen blend from Spotlight
@elizarenouf in Nina Lee London Park Lane Dress in rayon from Rathdowne Fabrics Day 9: A green floral linen blend Edith Smock from Pattern Union which is a lovely zero-waste design. Have you tried any zero waste projects?Frocktober Day 10: Aura Dress by Papercut Patterns in striped cotton from DK FabricsFrocktober Day 11: Another boxy dress favourite while hanging out with Fergus McCall’s 8161 (previously McCall’s 7542) from transformed into a dress with two gathered tiers in fabric provided by MinervaFrocktober Day 11: Melbourne is that warm weather we feel? 🌞
Embracing the (slightly) warmer weather in #Vogue9201 with our favourite #NewLook6694 puff sleeves from @simplicitymccallsaustralia 🌸Frocktober Day 13: We used Sewdirect Australia #v9075 to show off the lovely flowers of this Spotlight Stores polished cottonFrocktober Day 12: Our favourite bodice to hack into a dress yet again #m8161 from Sewdirect Australia cotton purchased from Super Cheap FabricsFrocktober Day 14: Finder Keepers with our friend Nic
Lauren Schultz Apparel combination of Ottilia and Minna in viscose Mindthemaker from Maai Design
Nicola Helens Closet Ashton top
hacked into a dress from fabric from Salvosstores Wangaratta
Erin Sewdirect Australia
#m7969 in viscose from MinervaFrocktober Day 15: Dinner at Mamasita in Melbourne
Erin a Sewdirect Australia (…we need to dig for the pattern number because we can’t remember) in a linen look print from Super Cheap Fabrics
Nicola #s1610
Fabric: purchased at Komolka Stoffe while visiting Vienna, Austria
Lauren #v9370 Asymmetrical Shirt dress in stripes from DK Fabrics
Frocktober Day 16: A shirt dress in Sewdirect Australia Simplicity 8014 in dotted cotton from ClearIt Outlet when it was on Brunswick StreetFrocktober Day 17: A favourite work dress today 🌊 Sewdirect Australia Vogue 1633 in crepe from Fabric DeluxeFrocktober Day 17: Schultz Apparel combination of Ottilia and Minna in a bright zoo print poplin from Spotlight Stores🦩🦒🐅Frocktober Day 18: Yay for a warm Spring Day! A floral polished cotton from Spotlight Stores in By Hand London Flora Dress with a gathered skirt. We used a rectangle and added some darts for shape before gathering the skirt.Frocktober Day 18: Another dress in Sewdirect Australia Vogue 9021 a pattern that we enjoy making as it has the collar and placket but no drama of a button front. We made this version in a poly print from @spotlightstoresFrocktober Day 19: A button front Butterick 6090 in fabric provided by MinervaFrocktober Day 20: The weather roller coaster continues! 🎢 🌞
This fun fabric is the
Lady Mcelroy Fabrics parrot Marlie cotton lawn gifted by Minerva
Pattern: Vintage Vogue 8347Frocktober Day 20: A version of Sewdirect Australia Simplicity 8594 in cotton poplin from Tessuti Fabrics for a day of teaching at Holmesglen FashionFrocktober Day 22: This is the original conversion of McCalls 8161 (previously McCalls 7542) into a dress by adding two tiers in checked linen from Darn Cheap Fabrics to the top pattern
We were excited to make this stunning fabric from Fabric Deluxe into the #JosieMcCalls McCalls 8030 from Sewdirect Australia which we got on our fabric hunt day.Frocktober Day 22: Magnolia Dress from Sola Patterns in Liberty Fabric from Fabric HoardersFrocktober Day 22: Isn’t it too cold for this dress? Correct. We’ve hit the point of Frocktober where jackets and layers help us keep warm 🌧
This is an out of print @simplicitymccallsaustralia
t-shirt pattern which we hacked into a dress and made pretty much entirely (except for the hems) on the four tread overlocker 💚Frocktober Day 23: This checked fabric was the material for the @tessutifabrics Skylines Sewing Competition a number of years ago.Frocktober Day 24: A flash back to Stakes Day from last year taking it to the office, Sewdirect Australia v9357 in stripes from DK fabricsFrocktober Day 24: A very fun Dashwood Studio pear print from Minerva in Sewdirect Australia New Look1619Frocktober day 25: Our favourite pattern of winter – Know Me 2016 in cotton from Darn Cheap FabricsFrocktober day 26: A wizzy skirt on a Schultz Apparel combination of Ottilia wrap top and Minna sleeve in a paisley from MinervaFrocktober Day 27: Simplicity 9136 in cotton from Spotlight for a day of teaching at Holmesglen FashionFrocktober Day 28: Studio weekend as we enter peak sewing period! 👒
Erin: McCalls 8282 in cotton poplin Spotlight
Lauren: Butterick 5840 in fabric provided by MinervaFrocktober Day 29: Studio weekend as we enter the busiest sewing week of the year! 👒 We’ve got plenty of projects on the go – hats, tassels and #MelbourneFrocktails outfits! We can’t wait to share them all with you soon 😍
Fergus is keeping a close eye on our sewing progress (and the treat in Lauren’s hand 😂)
Lauren: April Pattern by Forget Me Not Patterns in aqua cotton from our stash
Erin: Adrift Shift Dress by Gracie Steel with hacked detachable in a bee embroidered white demin from Joann Stores
Frocktober Day 30: Simplicity 8014 in a floral from Spotlight StoresFrocktober Day 31: Last day of Frocktober! We have loved sharing some frocks with you and raising awareness for OCRF.
Erin’s frock is a Woven Stretch Cotton Sateen from Minerva in a mash up of the skirt and pockets of Vogue 9357 to the bodice of Butterick 6410
Lauren’s frock is Schultz Apparel Minna dress in a dutch print cotton found at afrodesigns.co.uk African Queen Fabrics at Brixton Markets in London
This year are taking on the challenge of wearing a different Two Sewing Sisters made frock each day in October. If you have followed along on our Frocktober journey before you may recognise some pieces but we look forward to sharing the making details of the frocks with you.
We hope you enjoy seeing our frock collection and will make a donation to support this cause. Research is the answer and your support of the Ovarian Cancer Research enables this.
Day 31 – There was no question about what the final frock for this year would be. Lauren wearing our Alexandra Nea Frocktober girls print in Butterick 9764
Day 31 – Wearing the Frocktober Girls, with the Frocktober Girls. Erin wearing our Alexandra Nea frocktober girls print in Butterick 9771
Day 30 – Bringing it home in the favourite Butterick9 764 in polished cotton from Darn Cheap Fabrics
Day 30 – Frocking it up at Bendigo Cup with Bendigo Bank who are also a corporate supporter of the OCRF and the upcoming Silver Linings Ride
Day 29 – What amazing frock weather! Lauren wore an Iris print fabric from Spotlight in Vogue 2960
Frocktober Day 28 – Just 3 frock filled days to go for this frocktober. Lauren in McCall’s 7279 from fabric purchased at Knitting & Stitching Shows with Review Australia cardigan
Frocktober Day 28 – Taking Frocktober Frock fabric sourcing international! This fabric is from Liberty London during our trip to London earlier this year 🇬🇧 A Butterick 9764 in cotton fabric from Liberty with a Review Australia cardigan
Frocktober Day 20 – Another Sewing Sunday, another day recruiting the help of Katelyn O’Meara 🧵 . Lauren Ritchie in Butterick 5209 Erin Ritchie in Butterick 9764 and @stitchesandsutures in Tilly and the Buttons Magan Dress all in Spotlight fabric
Frocktober Day 26 – Erin wearing Butterick 5851 made in navy and white checks from Nanny’s fabric stash
Frocktober Day 26 – Another frocking day, another Two Sewing Sistershandmade frock. . Lauren Ritchiee wearing Simplicity Patterns 8572 made in an upcycled Japanese Kimono gift from Andrea Kitahara The white floral print provided a great skirt feature.
Frocktober Day 25 – Lauren wearing Simplicity 8594 in cotton print from Tessuti Fabrics
Frocktober Day 25 – Tonight Erin Ritchie was awarded the Deakin UniversityGlobal Citizenship Award 🌏 . Wearing #vogue1350 in light blue (tiny) gingham fabric from Super Cheap Fabrics wore with CUE blazer
Frocktober Day 24 – at Melbourne Soup in blue ruffle dress from the Tessuti Colour in Thirds Competition and vintage pattern Vogue 6504 in polished cotton from Rathdowne Fabrics
“Quick Erin, take a photo of me with the sign, we match!” .We’re thrilled to bring Alexandra Nea Illustration Frocktober Girls to fabric using Spoonflower 🧵✂️ The bonus was getting to debut the creations at the smoothfm 91.5 Frocktail Party with Alexandra to support the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation (OCRF) 🥂👗 . Lauren Ritchie in Vintage Butterick Pattern
Frocktober Day 23 – We’re thrilled to bring Alexandra Nea Illustration Frocktober Girls to fabric using Spoonflower 🧵✂️ The bonus was getting to debut the creations at the smoothfm 91.5 Frocktail Party with Alexandra to support the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation (OCRF) 🥂👗 . Lauren Ritchie in Vintage Butterick 9764 Erin Ritchie in Vintage Butterick 9771 Alexandra Nea in Review Australia.
Frocktober Day 23 – Lauren in Simplicity 2923 which was a Project Runway pattern in purple linen
Frocktober Day 23 – Butterick 9764 in polished cotton from Spotlight Stores
Frocktober Day 22 – Lauren Ritchie frocking her self drafted entry from the Tessuti Fabrics colour in thirds competition made earlier this year.
Frocktober Day 21 – Lauren in a purple knit dress
Frocktober Day 21 – Kicking off the week with By Hand London Jenna Dress in fabric from The Fabric Store – Australia
Frocktober Day 20 – Sewing Sunday! With so many projects on the go for upcoming events we recruited the help of @stitchesandsutures 🧵 . Lauren in Butterick 5708, Erin Simplicity 1802 @stitchesandsutures in By Hand London Anna Dress. All made in fabric from Spotlight
Frocktober Day 19 – Performing at the Marysville Jazz Festival with High Society Jazz Orchestra 🎷🎶 . Frock made by Robyn for Erin in black crepe and vintage pattern
Frocktober Day 19 – Performing at the Marysville Jazz Festival with High Society Jazz Orchestra 🎷🎶 . Lauren made this dress without a pattern in fabric from Ebay while living in London last year
Frocktober Day 18 – Have a laugh! It’s the weekend! Kicking off this frocking good weekend at @finders_keepers 👗 . A Butterick 9764 in fabric from Super Cheap Fabrics – it is not often we make a black dress, but when Erin worked at Spotlights a few years ago, a few snuck into the cupboard!
Frocktober Day 18 – Frock details are a minor thing when our new doggy mascot Sammywise makes an appearance in the frock photo.
Frocktober Day 17 – We can’t wait for the weather to get warmer… fun cotton prints are calling our name! But for now the sleeves are here to stay!
Frocktober Day 16 – Lauren in Vogue 8922 made in a suede purchased at Sackville and Lane before it closed in Wangaratta. Do you have a local independent fabric store you miss?
Day 15 – A busy day in the OCRF office sending out the last of the Frocktober Supporter Packs 👗 Frocktographer: Sam
Day 14 – A pirate print dress, Brunetti Cafe and end of university exams for the year… is there anything better way to celebrate the two week mark of Frocktober?!
Day 14 – Minnie Mouse 🐭 version of Butterick 9764 in fabric from Spotlightst visiting Kaprica
Day 13 – vintage tie dress with fabric from @spotlightstores guest Frocktographer Trent Howard
Day 12 – New Look 6176 in fabric from Sewing and Craft Superstore with guest Frocker Talia and Frocktographer Eliza. on a visit to Brown Brother
Day 11 – green paisley from Spotlight
Day 10 – Butterick 5604 in @spotlightstores polished cotton.
Day 9 – Butterick 5604 in @darncheap checked fabric.
Day 9 – Simplicity 8594 in polished cotton from Super Cheap Fabrics
Day 8 – Vintage style in fabric from Darn Cheap Fabrics
Day 8 – New Look 6176 in black and white fabric from Spotlight
Day 7 – Butterick 5604 in polished cotton from Spotlight
Day 7 – Butterick 5523 in a purple knit fabric from”the stash”
Day 6 – Ruffled Butterick 5209 in fabric from Darn Cheap Fabric
Day 6 – Knitted dress by Robyn Ritchie
Day 5 – Tshirt Dress and Polka dot Butterik 9764 photo by James Christie
Day 4 – Shirt Dress in Tessuti Fabrics
Day 3 Butterick 9764 pattern made floral polished cotton from Spotlight
Day 3 Butterick 9764 pattern made floral polished cotton from Spotlight
Day 2 Navy Infinity Dress
Day 1 Butterick 9764 pattern made floral polished cotton from Spotlight
Day 1 Butterick 9764 pattern made floral polished cotton from Spotlight
Two Sewing Sisters sketch by Alexandra Nea with Frocktober dresses
Frocktober is a community fundraising initiative for the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation (OCRF). The aim of the campaign is to start important conversations. The campaign that empowers women around Australia to channel their creative flair through their favourite frocks, all while raising urgently-needed funds for the OCRF’s innovative research projects that help to shine a light on ovarian cancer. You can make your donation here.
The challenge of Frocktober is to take on a frock challenge during October. We first became involved with Frocktober in 2013. Our challenge was to wear a different frock everyday in October. We took a photo each day to share on our social media pages. With a love of frocks this was an exciting challenge to help fund research into early detection test.
Two Sewing Sisters and Frocktober
This will be the 6th year that we have donned a frock everyday of October with our team Frocking for a Cause. Between us we have completed the equivalent of 7 Frocktobers without repeating a frock. It’s a lot of frocks for an important cause.
The frocks were a combination of ones we had made, purchased new, purchased second hand/vintage, family collection and borrowed from friends. Check out the frocks we have worn over the years.
There is still a chance to become involved in Frocktober this year. Wear a frock, host an event in your work place for a Frock Friday or start the important conversation to raise funds and awareness in your network about this insidious disease.
With a revised look for Frocktober Illustrator Alexandra Nea created the frocktober figures to provide the new stunning faces of Frocktober. This wonderful fashion illustrator works capturing luxury events across the country and you will find a stunning sketch of the Two Sewing Sisters was created by Alexandra.
The challenge we are taking on this year is to wear a different frock each day that we have made.
We would love you to be part of our ‘Frocking for a Cause Team’ – follow the link to join us!
Gallery
Check out our past years Frocktober to get you inspired. Stitching, shopping or borrowing to get your frock collection ready.
The first Frocktober, day 1 of year 1.
Frock 31 for Lauren in 2017
The first Frocktober, day 31 of year 1.
Frock 31 for Erin in 2017
Attending the Get York Frock On Event in Louise Macdonald Millinery
Relay for life in frocks
Embracing the theme theme in frocks for a Mario themed birthday
Celebrated Day 31 in 2015 with hand made frock
Handmade frocks with Mum
Wearing Nanny made frocks with Nanny
In 2015 we hosted a Charity Fundraiser afternoon tea
Frocktober Afternoon tea in 2016
Opening the Frocking for a Cause Exhibition at the Wangaratta Information Center in 2016
With the OCRF team at the Frocktober Charity Gala in 2017
With fellow Frocker Rhiannon Irving
Recruited Trini to take part in Frocktober
With the frocktober who introduced us to the cause
The third time he has frocked up for us
Stopping traffic for the Herald Sun in 2016
The Frocking for Cause team in 2017 at the Frocktober Launch
OCRF (Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation) hosted their annual Silver Style event at the Georges Ballroom in St Kilda. The theme was a touch of silver. Inspired by this theme and some fabulous silver shoes the outfit planning started.
Lauren found this striped printed silk at the Hand Made Fair at Hampton Court Palace in London in 2018. Unsure what she wanted to create with it the fabric waited in the wings. When the theme the event was announced it felt like the perfect occassion and coordinated well with a pair or existing silver shoes.
The pattern was selected due to panel pieces that would allow for the stripe in the fabric. Placing the strip in different directions and using a circle skirt achieved this.
Eager to pair the statement Maude bag and glittery Wittner shoes with a Tweed the hunt for the fabric began. We found the beautiful white and blue with silver fleck tweed at Darn Cheap Fabrics in Port Melbourne.
Returning to use a favourite pattern, Vogue 1392 with a circle. The bodice was lined with bem silk and cotton tape place around the neckline to reduce stretching.
Photo by Cam Davie
Silver Style was a great evening to celebrate the efforts of the OCRF. Every woman, everywhere – free from the threat of Ovarian Cancer. You can donate directly to the cause or find out other way to take part such as Frocktober.
Frocktober is a community fundraising initiative for the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation (OCRF). The aim of the campaign is to start important conversations. It raising awareness of the lack of early detection method, of women’s experiences, and of how we as a community can do more to support ovarian cancer research. You can make your donation here.
The challenge of Frocktober is to take on a frock, or dress, challenge in October. We first became involved with Frocktober in 2013. Our challenge was to wear a different frock everyday in October. We took a photo each day to share on our social media pages. With a love of frocks this was an exciting challenge to help fund research into early detection test.
Things to know about Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynaecological cancer
There is no early detection test for ovarian cancer. Over 50% of the community incorrectly believes a Pap smear will diagnose ovarian cancer.
Each year, nearly a quarter of a million women around the world are diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
In Australia alone, one woman dies every eight hours from ovarian cancer.
Less than 30% of women diagnosed at a late stage will survive for more than five years.
If a woman is diagnosed at Stage 1 (while the cancer is localised) then her survival rates are over 90%.
The OCRF receives no government funding and relies solely on the financial support of corporate Australia and the broader community.
Proportionally, more women die from ovarian cancer than breast cancer, because it is usually diagnosed in its advanced stages.
Symptoms are often vague and the warning signs associated with the disease —discomfort or pain in the abdomen or pelvis; feeling swollen or bloated; appetite loss or feeling full quickly; tiredness, and unexplained changes in weight—rarely set off alarm bells. As a result, women or their doctors sometimes mistakenly attribute the symptoms to other gastrointestinal problems or common female complaints, and delay taking further steps.
About 15–20% of women with ovarian cancer are found to have a fault in one of the BRCA genes or other
similar genes.
Two Sewing Sisters and Frocktober
This will be the first time in 5 years that we are not donning a frock everyday of October. Between us we have completed the equivalent of 7 Frocktobers without repeating a frock. It’s a lot of frocks for an important cause.
The frocks were a combination of ones we had made, purchased new, purchased second hand/vintage, family collection and borrowed from friends. Check out the frocks we have worn over the years.
There is still a chance to become involved in Frocktober this year. If not this year think about taking part next year. Wear a frock, host an event in your work place for a Frock Friday or start the important conversation to raise funds and awareness in your network about this insidious disease.
With a revised look for Frocktober last year Illustrator Alexandra Nea created the frocktober figures to provide the new stunning faces of Frocktober. This wonderful fashion illustrator works capturing luxury events across the country and you will find a stunning sketch of the Two Sewing Sisters was created by Alexandra.
Frocktober Gallery
Check out our past years Frocktober to get you inspired. Stitching, shopping or borrowing to get your frock collection ready for Frocktober.
The first Frocktober, day 1 of year 1.
Frock 31 for Lauren in 2017
The first Frocktober, day 31 of year 1.
Frock 31 for Erin in 2017
Attending the Get York Frock On Event in Louise Macdonald Millinery
Relay for life in frocks
Embracing the theme theme in frocks for a Mario themed birthday
Celebrated Day 31 in 2015 with hand made frock
Handmade frocks with Mum
Wearing Nanny made frocks with Nanny
In 2015 we hosted a Charity Fundraiser afternoon tea
Frocktober Afternoon tea in 2016
Opening the Frocking for a Cause Exhibition at the Wangaratta Information Center in 2016
With the OCRF team at the Frocktober Charity Gala in 2017
With fellow Frocker Rhiannon Irving
Recruited Trini to take part in Frocktober
With the frocktober who introduced us to the cause
The third time he has frocked up for us
Stopping traffic for the Herald Sun in 2016
The Frocking for Cause team in 2017 at the Frocktober Launch
donned a frock everyday of October with our team Frocking for a Cause. Between us we have completed the equivalent of 7 Frocktobers without repeating a frock. It’s a lot of frocks for an important cause.
