“Life’s Too Short for Boring!”: Frock On for a Good Cause this October
- Words by Peppermint
above PEPPERMINT BARDON DRESS. PHOTO BY RACHAEL BASKERVILLE.
During October you can do some good as easily as getting dressed in the morning! For the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation (OCRF), October is Frocktober, the biggest (and most stylish) fundraiser for ovarian cancer research in Australia, empowering peeps of all genders, shapes and sizes to channel their creative caring flair through their most fabulous frocks and raise urgently needed funds for the OCRF’s innovative research projects.
Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynaecological cancer, claiming the life of one Australian every eight hours. Frocktober funds are dedicated to the development of an early-detection test, which could save the lives of 1.3 million people globally over the next decade.
As far as excuses to dress up go, it’s hard to think of a better one! So, inspired by this year’s theme – “Life’s too short for boring!” – we’re putting our best frocks forward and celebrating some of the loudest and proudest Peppermint dresses as made by our Peppermint pals!
If you’re interested in learning more, head to frocktober.org.au where you can donate directly to the OCRF, or register a fundraiser of your own!
THE EVERYDAY ESSENTIAL
The foundational Frocktober challenge is to wear a frock all 31 days of October so where better to start than with the Peppermint Everyday Dress made in collaboration with In The Folds? @JuanitaFlett serves everyday glam in her Nerida Hansen cotton sateen number, while @RavenMaureen_ rang in the new year with her sequin-tastic hack!
THE BOUNTIFUL BOWEN
The fabulously floaty Peppermint Bowen Dress is an easy breezy make! Crafted by the brilliant Hubba Ding, it’s simple to put together with dramatic results. @Rhi___Made’s floral number flourishes in the beauty of the outback landscape and @LittleDanaDoes‘ patchworked spectacular tells the story of her sewing journey within its different fabric pieces.
THE BODACIOUS BARDON
A firm favourite among our sewing patterns, the Peppermint Bardon Dress is a perennial crowd-pleaser from the extraordinary Elbe Textiles! @SewDoItEmma is serving cottagecore cuteness in her bird-embellished Bardon, while the crafty @Maker.Mother.Crone has concocted some circle skirt magic in the tiers creating a show-stoppingly swishy skirt!
THE MAGNIFICENT MAXI
Another fantastic showing from the beloved Elbe Textiles, the clever construction details of the Peppermint Wide Strap Maxi Dress can’t be beat! From its premium pocket design to its ease-allowing elasticated back, it’s a joy to make and wear!
@PopsCanSew rocks her maxi in a wildin’ wildlife Ellie Whitaker print and some gloriously eye-popping colour combos, meanwhile, @Geri_In_Stitches opted for a tasteful white – then used her extreme tie-dyeing abilities to create a dazzling kaleidoscope of colour!
THE BEDAZZLING BUTTON UP
An oldie but a goodie, the Peppermint Button-Up Dress, also an In The Folds collabo, presents a pantheon of opportunities to bedazzle, bejewel or otherwise bedeck your make in adornments. @_GooglyGuys’s punk-rock frock features a funky print portrait, while @AutumnYarn eschews the buttons for a nifty zip and some excellent embroidered pockets!
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Disillusioned by the realities of fast fashion, design grads Emily May and Sidonie Moore ditched clothing for a business that finds fun in the everyday. Enter @TheNonsenseMaker: a collection of unique homewares, fun wall art, greeting cards and more that breathe life into Emily’s illustrations: “I love the idea of taking real-world objects and changing your perspective in a way that brings magic and whimsy into everyday life!”
In issue 64’s feature ‘It all makes sense’, we chat to the Naarm/Melbourne-based duo about their sustainability philosophy, TV re-runs and their commitment to local makers. At stockists now!
Photos: @MeAndMyGirl
#PeppermintMagazine #TheNonsenseMaker #LocalMakers #SustainableCraft
Any New Year’s resolutions on your list? We love this from @OtterBeeStitching - “be brave enough to suck at something new”.
There’s no points for perfection, but you’ll get a trophy for trying. If nothing else this year, take the leap and try something new.
#OtterBeeStitching #Embroidery #BeBrave #TrySomethingNew #EmbroideryArt
Sunday serving suggestion ☀️
Gorgeous photos from @JolieFemmeStore - who make sweet garments from vintage bedsheets.
#PeppermintMagazine #SlowSunday #SwitchOff #Unplug #ReadAMagazine
A toast to the old you 🥂
We wholeheartedly love this post from the brilliant @EmilyOnLife:
“2026: Reinvent, burn it down, let it go (whatever it is). Year of the Snake it up. Exercise your boundaries, exercise your body, take one teeny step every day towards a life that feels better to be in.
But don’t you dare shit on your old self while you do it.
Hold yourself with reverence and tenderness and respect, because you got you this far. You did your very best with the information and tools you had at the time. You scraped yourself together, you made it work, you survived what felt impossible to survive: again and again and again.
You are perpetually in the process of becoming, whether you can feel it or not, whether or not you add it to your 2026 to-do list.“
Some very wise words from @Damon.Gameau to take us into 2026 🙌🏼
⭐️ We made it!!! ⭐️
Happy New Year, friends. To those who smashed their goals and achieved their dreams, and to those who are crawling over the finish line hoping to never speak of this year again (and everyone else in between): we made it. However you got here is enough. Be proud.
It’s been a tough year for many of us in small business, so here’s to a better year in 2026. We’re forever grateful for all your support and are jumping for joy to still be here bringing you creativity, kindness and community.
We’re also excited to be leaping into the NY with our special release sewing pattern – the Waratah Wrap Dress!
How great are our fabulous models: @Melt.Stitches, @KatieMakesADress and @Tricky.Pockets - and also our incredible Sewing Manager @Laura_The_Maker! 🙌🏼
Ok 2026: let’s do this. 💪🏼
#PeppermintWaratahWrapDress #PeppermintPatterns #SewingPattern #MeMade #WrapDress #WrapDressPattern
