Alternatives to doll carriers?

My old trumpet bag proves to be a very nice doll carrier, and can hoold up to 3 dolls when stuffed to the max (I usually don't take more than three dolls with me anyway). It has a thick foam stuffing inside. I don't know the price of the thing as my Mum bought it for me when I was 12 or something xD Haven't played trumpet in years, but I still keep the bag!

 

When I carry my dolls around, I put the cushions from their box into a duffle bag and squoosh them in well. I also put their face protectors on. I've never had a problem with transporting them this way, even on planes. ^^

 

I'm using a modded trumbone case. =_= It's so heavy, but you can carry up to three SDs or 6 MSDs if you put 'em in right. XD
Either that or everyone goes in my oversized purse. Fits all four of my lovelys beautifully.

 

It's not the greatest in the world, but my girlfriend and I use her shoulder bags to tote our dolls in. We sit them in, with the camera and any other things we bring, and carry them around.

 

I have a suitcase I got for maybe $20 at Sears, but I have never used it. I have a violin case, but it hasn't been worked on yet, so I'm not using it. If I'm just going to a meet, I'll take them in their boxes, but I'm slowly realizing that the boxes are big and clunky and difficult. I've put them in backpacks, suitcases, purses, and... I think that's it. I'd like to have an actual doll case made by a company, but I don't yet.

 

Usually I use the coffin case I made or a well padded tote bag, but my newest guy (a DM Model doll) is a little too big for that. I found this oversized yoga bag on ebay which fits him just about perfectly, though his shoes do have to come off when I stick him in it. His shipping pillows work well for padding and with his faceup protector on, he's fine in there. Not sure I'd take him long distances in it, but for the meets I go to, it's great. Inexpensive, durable, and I can even stuff an extra outfit in there.

 

Aya sits in my shoulder bag and I walk around with mild paranoia that I'll bash the bag against something accidentally or someone will bump me.
I too am on the lookout for somewhere in the UK that sells bags useable as doll carriers ^^

 

For my DiM tiny, I just bought an inexpensive basswood box with retro style closures and kitted it out like an antique style doll case, with fabric liners, dividers, a space for clothes/shoes and a "slot" just for the doll. It worked great and looks super cute! Now Winny has her own carrier with wardrobe included.

 

My mom had a big messenger bag with a lot of zipper compartments. On the bottom and the outside, I had hardcover books and bubble wrap, and on the inside I had cushions. My MSD has to bend her knees to fit in it, though, so there's no way a full SD will fit. I'll have to look into alternatives for my boys when they're complete. Not that they tend to go anywhere I couldn't carry them in my arms; I'm not paranoid about a few seconds of sunlight. xD;

 

Most of the time I just take them with me in a messengerbag.. and if that doesn't fit a sportsbag with some pillows..

 

Big wheeled duffle. And I wrap my vinyl sweeties in baby blankets and towels.

 

I have a duffle bag that Orca customized for me, with padding and everything for my dolls. I have fit up to four MSDs in there, but right now there are two MSDs and one Yo-SD, all with padded blankets and what not. I'll need to find/make a carrier for my in-coming SD doll. The duffle is a bit too small and cramped to have my big boy in there as well.

 

I have been carrying my doll around with normal messenger bag stuffed with pillows and the BJD just simple sitting on the bottom of it. I need a new bag just for my dolly, but I havent done anything for it so far. Violin cases would be good, but they're quite expensive and I can't find them anywhere near, so I'm not thinking of them anymore...

Then I found this awesome tutorial by MissFloreline and it inspired me to desing my own doll-safe bag. I just need to be a little creative to find fabrics and straps for my bag, but I think that it's going to look good if I put some effort to it. We'll see...

 

I use a yoga bag as well, especially when I'm toting my MSD or YoSDs around. It's pretty comfortable, and you can fit a few of them in there.

However, that doesn't work for my Soom crew. Their fantasy feet are way too big (especially Sphaler's). I ended up getting a folding tote bag at Walmart on uber clearance. I lined it with soft blankets. I can fit at least 2 Sooms in there.

 

I use doll carriers for my MSDs and my SD, but for my model doll, I use a backpack. He can sit in the bag safely if I add all of my doll pillows.

 

I have a violin case that i used to use, but I made myself a carrer

it holds my DOT Shall, pillows and my other tinys. with lots of room for my tri-pod and camera.

 

I had an old rolling backpack from middle school that I've been using lately by lining it with the pillows that came in the boxes with my two girls. though they JUST fit, I'd like to get something more substancial and possibly weatherproof.

 

I would totally vote for the violin case conversion! If you find a nice one (and most of them are not that expensive) it doesn't take much to transform it into a nice cosy space. The only thing is, larger dolls migh not fit in comfortably.

Another idea is to get a metal tool case in a home iprovement/DIY store, the type that does not have little compartments (unless you want that for extra eyes, shoes or whatever other small accessories you like to carry around with the doll) and kit it out with foam or some other soft padding. It looks sturdy and they are usually reasonably priced, too.

 

If I'm taking everyone, I use a C*Gull case made to carry the Cruicut die-cut machine. It will hold 3 SDs, 4 MSDs, and my tiny w/room to spare.

For local meets, I have a large over-the-shoulder bag that I put a padded cushion in the bottom and the SDs can sit with their legs outstreatched. If I take 2 big guys, the sit on opposite ends and then the smaller guys can sit on their legs. I'll usually put a blanket or another cushion.

The boys wear face-guards when in a bag of any sort. My tiny is usually wrapped up in a home-made travel blanket to protoect her face-up.

 

I'm considering getting a large tripod bag, they're pretty cheap (some under $30) on ebay right now, and some of them look exactly like doll carriers, minus the straps inside! Some even with pockets on the outside for stuff.
It's that or finally cave in and get a dollzone carrier XD cause I have 2 70cm dolls and one 50cm and no bags! D=