Yes, I’m experimenting with “Straw Port” masks, thinking up ways to keep the hole always covered, even while in use, so as not to totally defeat the purpose. Of course, we’re not supposed to ever touch our masked face… but reality prevails. If you are going to walk around flea markets or other public spaces on hot summer days, sooner or later, you’ll be unmasking yourself or trying to shove a straw up there somehow just to quench your thirst. So, why not make them with straw ports?

It’s NOT PPE folks… it’s a novelty item that offers minimal protection (like most fabric masks), but if it keeps masks on more faces, the better for all of us, eh?

My first attempt was to hide the port in a fake pleat (straw enters at bottom of pleat, travels up a tunnel and exits near mouth at top of pleat) but, the port was located too high, so care must be exercised to avoid shoving straw up your nose.

My second attempt (shown below) hid the port well under black satin ribbon, but the overall width (nose to chin) was way too much, which put the port a wee too low.

The third attempt (below) added a tab to make finding the port easier. I used the same pattern (and fabric) that I tested in my last post, adding a plush cotton pipe cleaner for a nose wire and plastic beads to make the ear loops adjustable. I love the way it fold up to look like a little purse.

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As you can see, I made the port a tad too low but, easy pattern adjustment to move it up a bit (still below mouth level so can slide up to mouth instead of straw aimed to go up nose). This design is a keeper… I’ll be selling these for 8 (2 for 15) after I get a few made.

Thanks for looking! And, BTW… if you think adding straw ports is nuts, wait till you see my masks with zippers. Those fly out faster than I can sew them… mostly to smokers who live in designated non-smoking high rise buildings where stepping out for a smoke, even when social distancing, requires wearing a mask. Some people wanted them just so they could unzip for a drink, which got me thinking that a straw port mask would be better for that use unless they want to dunk cookies… odds are, they’re not sipping milk.

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