Doll Carrying Bags...Buy or Make or Convert!

I just made a tutorial for an MSD (or smaller) carrier. It's made out of wine boxes/carriers. I can travel on planes with it because A) it doesn't take up much space and B) it's super sturdy and tough!

I didn't like violin cases because they were too big and bulky and
I didn't like the company cases because they were too soft and not as protective.

With this carrier I made, I know she's totally protected. Plus the carrier cost me $6! The only downside is it can only carry one doll, which is all I have anyways. It feels so nice to have a carrier now. I was dreading the 4000 miles I have to fly in December.

 

I have a carrier I bought from a doll company, but I actually dislike it. It's really long and awkward to carry, not to mention it just has this "I am carrying something special or weird" vibe that I don't like. I much prefer the purse that I have. It's a really big sturdy one that looks like a boombox, it already has a cardboard bottom so that it stays in shape, so all I had to do was put a couple of my doll's pillows in there. It just looks like I have a purse so I don't get weird looks.

 

I use the cushions they came in. Since I never take more than one doll with me (too inconvenient alone), I can swap their bags, because i don't have a bag for every doll.

 

I did have a violin case I turned into a carrying case but it was so large (my doll is 70cm), awkward, and not carry-on approved so I just bought a briefcase for him. It's super padded and fits some assesories and a change of clothes. I would recommend it but it'll only work if the doll can sit seiza style.

 

I have a purse that looks like a old fashioned doctors bag that I will likely convert when my LTF comes in. However, the only time my husband sounded even remotely interested was when he asked if we could store her in a coffin, so that will likely be made in the future!

The design of the Volks tweed case is really interesting though! It seems like the cylinder style is pretty popular on here; does the fact that the zipper opens from one end to the other really make that much of a difference?

One thing that isn't often mentioned on this thread is wigs. A couple of people mentioned taking the wig off entirely. For people that don't take off the wig, how is the wig condition when put in carry bags of various types? Does the bag tend to flatten them down or tangle them?

 

This was fun reading. I got a couple of proper doll tote bags along with second hand doll purchases. Nice, but my favorite thing is to use items out of context...like a violin case. Cool. And freaking someone out in the airport with the coffin/open window -- funny!

I haven't traveled anywhere with my dolls yet, but I want to be very good to them when in any kind of transit. I bought one of those baby carrying baskets, very sturdy but relatively light weight. It will be a little awkward perhaps. Some of the bags described here with good carrying straps would be my pick if I were going to have to walk very far with the dolls in tow. Weight and ergonomics should be part of my priority because of spine injuries. But I'd probably go more for uniqueness as first priority.

I want to make some travel bags much like the padded bags some of my dolls have been shipped out in. But I want to save those original company bags in like-new condition in case of a re-sale need down the line. So, I want to sew some unique bags in sizes tailor made to each doll. Some same size dolls can share since I can't see myself taking a a great number of dolls anywhere all at the same time. These cushioned "sleeping bags" would be needed with the baby basket, and even in the "proper" company doll carriers.

Probably when I take my dolls out I would often be meeting with another doll fan. I think I would want to take clothes I have questions about, or just want to share with others who would appreciate them. That was why I went with the baby basket which could transport many dolls and items of varying sizes together.

Though wrapping a doll in a baby blanket
might be fun,
and allowing people
to admire my "baby"...pulling blankets back for a look-see.

I like that idea of the diaper bag with compartments, especially if I want to take a number of smaller dolls and other items with me. Great tip to add a scrapbook emblem over baby decorations. Lots of ideas here. Love this thread.

 

I just found this - IMO - really sweet tutorial for a fabric doll house:

http://uklassinus.blogspot.com/2008/08/fabric-dollhouse-tutorial.html

As is, I can imagine it to be somewhat versatile for the tiny dolls.

However, maybe I can work something out to adapt it as a motorcycle workshop...and maybe as a carrier bag...

For the big guy...with a light, but firm wooden or metal frame...exchange the button closing against zippers...Honestly, I really do not need another project.

 

Another great bag solution--sewing machine bags or scrapworking bags. They're large enough for several dolls, durable, and roll. The sewing machine bags in particular are designed to be carrying quite a bit of weight so it's a great solution. I got mine during black Friday and Michaels frequently has 40%-50% off coupons on anything, which would make a scrap working bag cheaper. They also have a bunch of little compartments you could use to carry around emergency doll supplies, extra accessories, etc.

 

I have a wheeled suitcase I use for any major doll movement, but Monica is the only one who really travels with me normally. She has a little pen box I got for a couple cents on clearance at a craft store I carry her around in when we're out. It's perfect for 16cm, I just wrap her in her company bag and there's a couple inches to pack extra clothes/small props as well.

 

I have a small leather purse that I don't really use that often that'd be perfect for a doll bag.

 

i have a volks tweed SD bag, i've seen many cheaper bags but most have a black liner which i am not that happy about, the volks has a white liner and 4 pockets(2 zipped) and securing belts that can fit two dolls but in my experience once you load it up the pockets with wigs and various bits and pieces you can only fit two one on top of each other and you need a pillow between them.

it works though and i really want another one, as two of my dolls have to be stored in their boxes.

 

I really want to buy a proper doll carrier (preferably hard case, actually) but since I can't really order online for the time being, I had to make do so I just bought a bag big enough to fit my doll and padded it with ANYTHING I could fit in, including my clothes and a blanket XD

 

i snagged a msd-length bag at work (yay company freebies) that holds itself into a perfect square, yet has no padding in it. :/. it's gonna need some modding but for now i'll just keep my dolls in their normal pillows and sit them inside it. it will fit an sd if it's sitting up a bit.

 

I carry my girls in a small, narrow gym bag right now (I need to pretty it up and find a way to hide the Puma logo, I'm not too keen on that.) For padding, I took an old yoga mat, folded it in three, and sewed it together (just a waaay loose basting stitch, a leather-sewing needle is best for this). After that, I covered it in fleece and snipped/tied the excess fabric all the way around like you would while making a no-sew blanket. Stitch a few ribbon ties to it, and you're good to go. It wraps around the doll, cushions her, but it's got a great density to it that keeps everything in shape.

 

For anyone looking for an extremely robust carry or storage case for 60cm or so dolls, look around online for radio controlled helicopter cases. They're like an aluminum briefcase, but more doll-shaped. The inside measurement of mine is over 65cm long.

I've got a couple of the cases since they're so useful for anything, but one is being used for my SD size girl.
There's plenty of room, and it's pretty deep. I hope to add a lift-out shelf so that I can rest 2 dolls in it, one under the shelf and one on the 2nd layer. The boxes come with tons of foam and have 3 locking latches, to keep kids (or anyone else) out.

They make smaller cases (for smaller sized helicopters) too, so I bet there's a good one for MSD dolls as well. If you wanted one for even smaller dolls, look for RC transmitter cases. They're all great, I tell ya!

 

I think I'm going to fashion some kind of unobtrusive black sling type bag out of a few we have lying around. Useful!

 

Personally, I'm not a super-master-"I-OWN-YOU"-seamster, but as my girlfriend is a professionnal seamstress, I usually ask her to do this kind of thing for me from scratch. That way, I'm sure it fits perfectly my doll's size!

 

Well right now I carry two dolls in a messenger type bag that I actually got from Walmart. I put company pillows in it so that they're padded, but I would never do anything crazy while carrying it. However, it doesn't stand out as anything different while I'm in public; it just looks like a normal bag!

For my tinies, I use a ResinSoul small carrying case. They're cute and padded and hold my two tinies perfectly.

 

Volks Has a new dollfie carrier that l would like to get but l'm wating for the volks USA store to get them in etc.

 

I have had a number of carriers so far but, in truth when it comes to tinies there's no need for anything special. I usually carry my tinies wrapped in doll pillows or those wonderful zip-up padded Soom teenie gem bags and then placed in a carry bag of choice...from an unobtrusive camera bag through to fun little colourful vinyl satchel cases. However, when it comes to big guys then something more sturdy is needed.
I used to have one of the huge 70cm DollZone carrycases but they tend to be very cumbersome and, even with an insert like the Angell-Studios padded zip bag I used for my big guys, they really don't offer much protection.
My favourite carrier has been this one I bought this year from Dollmore, perfect for keeping big dolls & accessories safe in transit:-
http://www.dollmore.net/shop/step1.php?number=4738