Alternatives to doll carriers?

A friend of mine made the cutest "doll snuggly" for one of her boys. I'm thinking about commissioning her. Otherwise, there are some great ideas in this thread that I may experiment with.

 

Man, I wish I had seen this thread before because these ideas are great!

In America, I used both my DoD bag and a red padded travel bag from Bath and Body Works, and I use my shopping bag filled with pillows and towels in Japan. Today, because I need a little more protection for a long trip, I'm borrowing one of my company's travel bags and am going to fill it with towels and pillows.

 

I've seen people using tote bags with pillows, but a travel bag with pillows works as well. I find a big with zippers is better because you wont have to worry about anything falling out.

 

I use various bags for my little one. I have a little wooden hand picnic basket my mother spied for me that I will eventually paint. I'll post pics of it later.

I also use a bag (dubbed the "baby's" bag) that I made, complete with a sleeping bag cushion case (with lace ties) that I put him in. It slings over my shoulder and is very light. Surprisingly he is very protected.

When I use it, I get lots of compliments on it from people who would like it as a personal carrying bag--not a case. I love bright, lively color and coordinating patterns

 

I use to use a corderoy school bag I got from...well...school. Then one of my friends bought me this carrying box. It's hard, with flowers painted on it, and has a handle so you can carry it around. However, sometimes the latch likes to come open. Thankfully when it did, Kaet was not inside, but I still got the bottom before her clothes fell out. So now I hold it on the bottom and walk around with it, occasionally using the handle when I know for sure the latch is on tightly. It fits Kaet (Bobobie Sprite) and her clothes perfectly.

 

Maybe not for carrying around lots of stuff, but the baby slings make great carriers for the dolls...and they are well padded and the straps are designed to distribute the weight. I picked up 3 and it's so much easier on the arms than hefting around a 60+cm doll at a meet or convention or just out in public.

- ShadowHawke -

 

I have a few different types of carriers I use.

1. I have my actual doll carrier (I know, not what was asked about...)

2. A cheap violin case I got for $15 sans violin. All I did was take out the brace used for the fingerboard of the violin and use a thin pillow around my SD doll. It only fits 1 doll, though, so I only use it when I'm going somewhere that I don't want to bring extra dolls.

3. Before I got my doll carrier, I used a carry-on/laptop bag. It had a good size compartment originally designed for clothing that fit the dolls in a sitting position perfectly. It also had a compartment on the other side that was great to use for extra clothes, wigs, shoes, cleaning sponges & brushes.

4. Before the carry-on/laptop bag, I used either a zippered tote or my messenger bag, and both of them worked very well, too.

 

Violin case! It can fit two SD dolls.

 

I always carried anything with a face in a drawstring backpack. That way their head can poke out and they can see
Of course, that's probably the least protective bag you can use for a doll. If I bother getting a decent bag for dolls, it'll probably be custom made by me to size...and still have a spot for their head.




(*looks up* oops, I accidently pressed a button...

 

I was thinking of using a leather-like white purse for my MSD that is similar to a tote but more wide. Just to carry her around at cons to and from the artist alley. I can sit her inside of it easily. :3 But I'm using that bag as a purse so I will need another for my other junk. ^_^; Which I already ordered a second bag for my regular junk I carry.

 

Oh! A bowling bag.

I have a large, red leather (with side inserts) bowling bag that looks more like a cute, designer purse than a bowling bag. I've only tried putting in an SD and a YosD, though, as the bag can be a little bulky with the weight of dolls and being so stiff

Similar to this bag

 

try a violin case or something like that i've seen alot of people use those.

 

I bought a cheap duffle bag from Wal-Mart that I line with the doll's pillows. If I carry any of my SDs (it can fit 2 easily), I use that. I can throw just about anything in it. I've put 2 SDs, an MSD, two tinies (Yo-sized) and up to 4 teenies (ODs & PFs) in that thing. It gets really heavy though so I want something with wheels, like a suitcase, for when I drag the majority of my crew. If I only bring my MSD or the tinies/teenies, I use a backpack. In the case of just teenies, I have a camera case that has two compartments (camera in one, dolls in the other).

I know Mizunotsubasa uses a Bioré case that had face cleansing cloths (you know, to take makeup off and clean your face). She uses a piece of fleece to line it/protect her Pukis. She's also used the plastic 'egg' from a Maxi Kinder Egg to carry them or their stuff in. XD

LM

 

I had/have a massive self made carrier that could carry 4-5 SDs and a random amount of smaller dolls, but it was simply too big to take with me to Japan.

Gael (my SeiTenshi) rides around in a Dr Pepper metal lunchbox.



I recently did one heck of an impulse buy in Osaka, and I am now the proud owner of an official Gundam Zaku suitcase.



I have the green one on the right.

It is a hardsided suitcase, and fits four SDs if curled up appropriately. With Japan and public transport, a sturdy case is even more nessasary.

 

OH wow~ I adore those 2 suitcases!! How can I get my hands on them from North America!! O__O;;

 

Sorry for the long title.
I did a search on this without much luck.

I'm going to a convention in less than 2 weeks so I wouldn't have time to order a bag.
I would order from Volks USA but I'm limited on funds.
My budget right now is around $20-25.

So, where can I find a SD sized bag?
(Wal-Mart, target, ect.)
I'll be carrying a back pack, but I don't feel right about having him back there. It's a con, people go nuts...

Thanks!

 

make-up cases work a charm and if you have the time to browse for one, rather than the hard metal looking cases, the ones with the padded look and a semi-hard liner allows your kid/kids to sit upright inside and more often than not they have velco straps for holding brushes, make-up bottles etc... I have one for my MSD girls and I can fit 3 in so I'm certain an SD will fit too....

 

That sounds interesting.
I'm unsure about the fit though, I guess I'll just have to take a look!

I almost bought one of those sturdy sewing bags but it seemed too small for his legs.
Thanks for the idea though.

 

You can make your own bag very cheaply and easily with a pilot sized suitcase - new or vintage from a thrift store. I have one that I thrifted that is an older style pilot size that has the handle on the long end and no wheels. In about a day I glued elastic straps on the side, made a quilted liner with a button holes for the straps to poke through and buckle - or even tie around the doll. I glued the liner down around the lip and used twill tape to cover the raw edge. I then personalized the outside by painting on it with fabric paint and attached a strap. Two dolls can sit in the case facing each other and are buckled in at the waist and thighs.

 

Oh, that sounds pretty nifty!