Totes II

     As discussed in our last post, the most basic tote styles have no additional features.  This pictured tote is a step up.  It is 14" high x 16" wide x 4.5".  The last dimension is known as the gusset.  Many basic totes have no gusset.  They are great to carry a couple of catalogs or a water bottle and snack - anything which does not have too much thickness.  A bag such as this with a gusset has greater utility.

     A gusset can be created by sewing a triangular seam inside the bag at the bottom.  This gives depth to the bottom and side of the bag by what seems (pardon the pun) to be an extra piece of rectangular material sewn on the bottom of the bag.

     There are other tote styles which are made of a front and back panel with a long rectangular piece sewn between the panels.  In this design, the long piece creates the gusset.

     Gussets can range in size from less than an inch to six inches or more.  Most grocery totes have gussets in the 6"-8" range.  You also will find a similar sized gusset on the classic boat totes.  Even a small gusset in the 1"-2" range will allow a basic tote to hold considerably more material than a tote without a gusset.

     It is possible to have a bag w/ just a side gusset where the bottom comes together but the sides expand.  You might see such gussets in those big department store paper bags.

     Last gusset topic - inserts.  In order to strengthen the bottom of some bags, a thick (and sometimes not so thick) cardboard rectangle is placed in the bag.  Sometimes it is covered with a fabric,  while other times it's just the cardboard.  Some people like them, but I think they tend to fall out and end up being thrown away.