Today I have a freebie I never could have imagined that we as a country and world would need. Our world has drastically changed in the last month and I have felt a little helpless to say the least. Sure I have been sewing masks and staying home to be safe but I felt like I could be doing more… I’m no seamstress so doing a tutorial for mask sewing just didn’t feel right. There are so many amazing sewing bloggers out there that have us covered.
(As a side note I got my pattern for my masks from www.madeeveryday.com and it is perfect!)
Ok… back to the ear savers. My daughter is in high school robotics and her team started 3-D printing these ear savers for medical staff around the country who are feeling the burn… literally on their ears. Wearing masks all day long is rubbing their ears raw. After hearing about them producing these ‘ear savers’ as I’m going to call them I thought hey what if I create a design that every crafter out there can be utilizing? What another great way that we can put our cutting machines to use and think of the impact!
Let’s let help provide some relief for those healthcare workers, first responders, and essential employees.
I have designed two different styles and you can size them to be however big or small you need. The ones I am cutting are about 7 inches across and they fit a variety of sizes. Now rather than having to place the mask strap behind their ear (as pictured below) they can strap it to the ear saver instead. Think of it like a little hook in the back.
Please note that the links to the material suggestions are Amazon Affiliate links.
Now one of the most important questions…. what material do we cut to create them?
There are lots of options here and I’m going to encourage you to also get creative but here are a couple suggestions and ideas:
- Plastic school folders (think Friday’s Green Folder that we are no longer using this year)
- The plastic fronts of notebooks
- Several thermal lamination pouches sealed together
- Plastic cutting mats
- Plastic place mats
Really anything that is sturdy enough to hold an elastic strap but not so thick your machine can’t cut it. If you have another idea that I can add to the list please let me know. The more we can brainstorm and share together the better off we are.
And even if you don’t have a cutting machine you can print out a copy, trace, and cut with scissors! There are so many options!
DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE EAR SAVER SVG FILE HERE:
Please note that the file above is in a zip folder so if you are downloading on a tablet or phone you will need to make sure to have an app to open and unzip the file. Also double check that you are using the Safari browser.
Thanks for being here and I can’t wait to see how we are able to make a difference together! Please make sure to first reach out to your local hospitals and area first responders to see what the immediate need is.
Check out more free SVG files you might enjoy here:
Social Distancing SVG
Peace, Love and Soap SVG
Funny Introvert SVG
If you are interested in 3D printing this exact ear saver design head over to this link to download the file for it totally FREE!
Thanks for the SVG, just what i was searching for 🙂
I will make it in Kraft Tex since i have a few scraps left from this material. It is strong, stable and cuts on my silhouette machine.
Sounds Perfect!!
I am making these for my co-workers at Walmart.
How about using empty gallon jugs of milk, tea, orange juice, etc…?
These are all good ideas!!!
Thank you! I am going to make some of these for our local front line workers!
So glad to help!
Comment. I clicked on the link for the free pattern fir war savers all I got was a bunch of gibberish. I am on my iPhone and using safari
Do you have an app to unzip the file folder? I like to use the blue free one titled unzip in the app store. If not that might be why it is coming up as gibberish.
I’ve seen people use dollar store placemats.
Oh that’s a great idea! Placemats!
Dollar tree cutting boards
I made a first set from a design belonging to someone else, but I needed a deeper notch. These are perfect. Thank you so much!!
Oh good I’m so glad these work for you and are secure! 🙂
was looking for this today and found your post. I’m trying to cut my plastic cutting mat from Dollar Tree with my maker and the deep blade does not work. Would like to use the knife blade but it doesnt let me change the blade. How can I change it, if you know.
thank you and be safe
You should be able to just remove it and switch it out for the blade you need and then inside the software make sure the new blade is selected.
I have a cricut explore 2 will I be able to cut any of these things?
Yes you should be able to!
Hi,
How about funky foam? You know, Hobbycraft have big packs of it in all different colours. I would think it would be quite sturdy and it is very light in weight. Also, I should think the latest cutting machines would cut it quite easily.
That’s a great idea!!
Thank you so much for sharing. I was able to make some of these for my son who works in one of our hospitals and share them with those on the floor he works on. You are such a blessing to me!
That is so great to hear! It is my pleasure!
I have a silhouette cameo , old machine .. Can I cut these on it … What setting if so
I have a silhouette cameo , old machine .. Can I cut these on it … What setting if so … what material setting ..
Hello! Yes you should be able to no problem… I would cut with a blade of 5 speed of 5 and pressure at 33… and i would do a double cut. 🙂
What size should the ear savers be?
I found that 7 inches worked well.
Thank you so much for sharing the pattern. I cannot wait to share these with my family and fellow essential postal workers. This is a life saver on the ears for those that have to wear a mask for long periods of time.
Just what I was looking for (still working out how to open though 😁). Thought I’d point out the graphic you used has a lady wearing her mask ineffectively as her nose is poking out the top! Not a good impression to leave people with. I did see a really funny graphic I wish I could share relating to it.
Thanks! The purpose of the ear savers is to help with properly securing the masks.
At Dollar Tree they sell 2 packs of plastic cutting boards that I believe are thin enough to cut in a Cricut. I just got mine and haven’t tried it yet, but you could probably cut 2 dozen or more from a $1 sheet. Just a thought.
Great idea! Let us know how it works!