I am just so excited to share this post with you!! In this difficult time, we all want to do what we can to help. However, sometimes, we just aren’t sure what we can do. This is a story of how we can put our skills and talents — and our Silhouette Cameo machines to work to help others!
One of my Terri Johnson Creates Licensed Instructors (and good friend) – Teresa Pepe – shared with me that she had begun making Face Shields for nurses and healthcare workers in New York. This idea was born out of request from a nurse at Sloan Kettering Hospital in New York to Teresa’s husband, Gino Pepe. Gino is a High School Chemistry teacher, and the nurse is the Mom of one of his students. Teresa shared this with me:
So – -here is how you can help! Because I know you will want to!
Instructions for Face Shield:
Supplies Needed:
- One acetate sheet of transparency film – Available on Amazon or Staples.
- Rubber foam weatherstripping 3/4″ wide (4 inch piece) – goes between two holes.
- Stretch Elastic Cord – -2 mm — This is available at Uline (for gift packaging) UPDATE: Uline is out — but as of 4/15 — Amazon had this cord.
- Silhouette Face Shield Cut File – available for free download here.
- UPDATE: I have added SVG and pdf files, so that people with other brands of machines can make shields, or cut by hand with pdf pattern — Download here.
Cutting and Assembly:
-
Cut Shield & Washers on the Cameo, using Auto blade or Ratchet Blade
- Settings: textured card stock- Heavy (80lb) , Increase the Passes to 2
- Force 30 – Speed 4 – Passes 2
- You can get one shield & several washers from one sheet of transparency. It is best to use 2 washers per hole for a total of 4 per mask.
- Cut the elastic cord 17”. Place the cord through the hole in the shield, placing two washers on the cord. Tie a knot and pull back until the washer goes flush against the shield. Repeat for the other side. Whoever receives the shield can adjust the tightness by simply untying the knot and retying to the desired length and tension.
- Cut a 5” piece of the foam strip. Peel off the backing and place between holes on the mask. There is a second backing on the opposite side of the foam. Do not peel but leave for the recipient to peel off.
- There is a second cut file with larger holes included, in case you are using larger elastic cording!
Again, if you can help either by making Shields or donating supplies, please send them to Teresa. She will make sure that they are distributed where they are needed! (her address is shared with her permission)
Teresa Pepe
34 Muradon Road
Mahopac, NY 10541
It’s a very difficult time but its also a blessing to see how God uses us and how strangers help each other in such a time. Thank you for sharing, please share the file with anyone who can make these for their hospitals or those on the front lines. The more we help the better! Please keep us in prayer, NY is a battle ground right now.
Love you, Terri!!! Hopefully when this is over we can give each other a hug.
I know that this community of Silhouette Users is a wonderful, caring group – -And I know that we all want to do something to help! I am so excited to see what will happen as a result of us all working together! Know that I love you & so appreciate all of you!
Until next time, (and until we can see one another face to face) — much love & hugs to all of you!