How to Make Ear Savers – A Simple Tutorial

What are Ear Savers?

An ear saver is an ingenious device, designed to prevent the discomfort caused by wearing face masks for long periods of time. Since face masks are worn by hooking thin elastic behind the ears, wearing them for extended periods can cause irritation and discomfort behind the ears. Ear savers relieve this discomfort by allowing the elastic to hook onto a button or loop at the back of the head. Ear savers can be made from fabric or flexible plastic.
 

How to Make Ear Savers

Fabric ear savers can easily be made at home using fabric scraps/elastic and buttons. Ear savers can also be crocheted, and some people have even started printing plastic ear savers using 3d printers. Making ear savers using fabric strips There are many ways to make ear savers using fabric, here we will show you one of the easiest and quickest. Choosing the right fabric The fabric will need to be able to withstand a wash cycle of at least 60 degrees Celsius so it can be hygienically cleaned after use. Usually 100% cotton or a polycotton mix will withstand this heat, but always be sure to check the care instructions for your fabric before buying. We’ve listed some of our favourite options below.

Do I need a sewing machine to make ear savers?

The short answer to this question is no. However, depending on the quantity of ear savers you are aiming to make, a sewing machine will help you work faster and produce more ear savers in less time.

Ear Saver Tutorial

Start with a piece of fabric around 5x2” and fold the two long ends together. If you are using patterned fabric, or fabric that is only coloured on one side, be sure to fold it patterned/coloured sides together.

Sew the fabric with a straight stitch, starting at the bottom of the folded edge and work your way up towards the folded edge, then along the top of the folded edge. Leave gap between the stitching and the raw edge of the fabric of around ½ cm. you can either do this on a sewing machine or by hand. Be sure to secure your thread with a knot if you are hand sewing, or by backstitching on a sewing machine.

Once you reach the opposite end of the fabric, secure with a knot or backstitch and cut off any excess thread.

Turn the fabric inside out using the open corner. You can use a pencil to push out the corners of the fabric.

Iron the piece flat and top stitch around all four sides.

Sew a button on each end of the fabric strip and there you have it! One easy ear saver.

Donate Ear Savers

Communities across the UK are joining together to make and donate PPE and other accessories such as ear savers to Frontline NHS staff and key workers.
 

Headbands for Heroes UK

Headbands for heroes is a UK Facebook group which helps bring together volunteers who would like to create and donate ear savers and other PPE accessories to NHS staff. On the Facebook page you will find a list of downloadable PDFs providing instructions on how to make ear savers and other accessories. You can join to become a headbands for heroes volunteer by filling in this form.

Big Community Sew

You’ll find a list of local groups which are currently accepting donations here on the big community sew website. Many local groups also have facebook pages which include lists of downloadable PDF instructions, not just for creating ear savers, but many other PPE accessories too.