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

Thanks for the photos hannaliten!

I picked up a camera bag at a Goodwill Outlet shop (so it was probably less than a $1). Once my girl arrives, and I check that she'll actually fit in it, I will probably make some more padding for it. As much as I like the idea of buying a case for my girl, I can't see spending that much money when I only have one doll, and a tiny at that.

 

I would buy one

 

I'm in the process of converting a Craftsman Tool Bag 2-pack into a pair of doll bags! I found them as a Black Friday special over the holidays, as a 13" and 18" set--ideal for tinies and minis. They're wide enough to fit two dolls across the bottom, but aren't padded at all; luckily, I have some thick foam from a previous attempt to build a carrier from scratch that never got finished, so that plus some flannel is making a nicely padded lining with some velcro straps to hold the dolls in place. I'll likely create a pillow to hold a third in the upper part of the bag, too, after the first two are secure. There'll still be room at the top to hold a few accessories or lighter items, and some pockets on the outside for tucking other small items. And the "Craftsman" tag was really easy to remove, to hopefully replace with some fun travel-themed appliques!

 

I sewed my own from some old patterns I found in the basement, but the material I bought for straps isn't very good and they keep pulling apart near the seams XI

 

Did you buy a bag? If you did, what bag did you buy? How do you like it? What don't you like about it? How many dolls does it hold?

I've never bought a bag, but Evra and Dean came with their own carriers, which are sturdy and nice-looking. I actually have no complaints about them. They are one-doll carriers.

Did you make a bag to carry your dolls? Can you share with us what you did?

I have made a 60 cm tote! I meant for it to be for one, but I made some miscalculations with the measurements and it ended up big enough to hold two! I sewed my carrier myself. Basically I looked at Dean's carrier, worked out what its component parts were, and figured out how to put them together. I got heavy upholstery fabric, a thinner print for lining, plastic buckles, straps, a zipper and the thinnest width of sheet foam I could get from the craft store. I sewed the fabric and lining in the shape of a tube, and sewed the foam in between the fabric and the lining, with buckles sewn onto the lining so I could strap my dolls in. I sewed straps onto the outside of the bag as well and put the zipper in. I've since taken it on a plane trip halfway across the country and it held up beautifully. However, with the high cost per yard of heavy upholstery fabric, and because I bought extra in case I messed up, it ended up costing me about the same $50 a store-bought bag would have. But I didn't have to pay shipping, and mine has a leopard print exterior and Hawaiian flowers on the inside! So I'm still happy with it! I do still have to use my dolls' pillows inside the bag, but that's true of Dean and Evra's carriers too.

I eventually want totes for everybody; the boxes are just not practical because they're only cardboard and not holding up well. But until I can perfect the way I calculate measurements, I'm probably going to buy carriers for my 65cms. (On the other hand, I might just make more "wrong" bags--with the size of my collection, two-doll bags could be more practical than individuals!)

 

I don't have a bag or any solid plans for one yet, but I sort of want to go on the look out for an older, antique suitcase to mod and pad for my dolls.

 

My YOSD I kept her in tool-box. Later she upgraded to a lunch box with a handle. Basically, I just put her stuff at the bottom and put her on top. Because it was filled to the rim, she didn't move around at all.

My big guys...coz they're so tall, I had to buy a bag. I was on the lookout for long bags and even had my mum look for them, but with no luck.

 

I'm pretty sure that I posted here before, saying that I used a dollzone doll carrier. But, my collection has grown, so I wanted to share how I manage all of the extra clothes, shoes, accessories, and of course, dolls!

Several people in my local community use rolling suitcases. And for good reason, it works! It's a lot easier than the carrier, because you don't have to lift the heavy weight. Plus, it has enough room for my two SDs, an MSD, a floating head, and my two tinies!

I got mine at Goodwill for 14 dollars, and it was worth it! I recently switched, and I'm quite glad that I did!

 

I bought a couple of bags when I first started out, then as my collection grew, I switched to using rolling suitcases. Just wrap the dolls in fabric like fleece or something and strap them in. I could get five or six SDs in one case, and maybe a few MSDs as well.

Then I discovered rolling craft totes/sewing machine totes. Like suitcases, but opening at the top. They hold about as many SDs and MSDs, sitting up, and take up less room than a huge suitcase. Plus, I can plop another small carry bag right on top of it full of tinies. Over the years, you learn to improvise.

 

Omg so many awesome and cool ideas! I've been carrying my dolls around in my school bag for a while now, I can fit two MSD with pillows if I cram, but since my collection is steadily growing (and especially with my Luts Yul Satyros coming home this week), carrying them all to meets is just going to be a big no no... I really want a bag that is light and easy to carry, but can fit at least most of my dolls... I got really excited when I found this thread, and started to look around, but couldn't find any that I really liked... I remember seeing a backpack, like the ones on Dollmore, but instead of the dolls standing, they were sitting. I really liked those ones, but I can't find them now... I'm not overly loving of the long, cylinder ones either, they seem so uncomfortable and not very easy to carry... I would make my own, if the sewing machine liked me >.<
I guess I will have to try the converting thing.. Just have to find that perfect bag that will fit the dolls in a good way :3

 

I don't have carrying bags for my dolls since I don't really go places with them often... when I lived in Austin and attended doll meetups I only had one MSD at the time so I just carried her in my hands... I guess if I had to go somewhere with them right now I'd use this high quality sturdy padded laptop backpack I've got, and put extra padding in there so they don't jostle around...

Also I think a cute idea would be to use a huge hard-shell lolita bag like this classical puppets coffin suitcase, which is 40cm tall and 30cm wide, which would fit a few tinies or particularly short msds (or an msd if you took the head off)... It looks really sturdy too. I know a lolita purse costs as much as a proper doll bag but if you found one big and sturdy enough it'd be awful cute.

 

I can't carry much due to back problems so I invested in an old fashioned baby buggy (the ones with the bassinet). I have to have help from who ever (Dad usually) drives me but with two ppl lifting it to the back of the van is easy. My resin kids are mostly SD+.... 65 cm and I even took my giant Soul Doll centaur to a meet up to introduce him to the club ^^. It's awkward but since I can't use the bus (can't walk far enough to stops) it is good for anything local or that I would get a ride too in the van. If you can take your kids in one of those strollers this will work too ^^

this is when I got the buggy and that is my 65 cm Soul Doll sitting in it.


This is the clubs kids getting a ride the day at the museum. there are more sitting in the other end ;p


This is the bassinet on the kitchen table where I loaded it the day I took my centaur. I only took him my other Soul Doll boy and my tiny Enyu that day (boys day out... the girls got stuck at home ;p) So they don't get lost or ruined I remove the wigs which is why they are bald. Chiron was not impressed.

 

@ Lady Tiku: travelling in style!

I use a bugel (kind of trumpet) bag that I bought back when I was taking lessons in it. The instrument itself is sold but they didn't want the bag, and it's the perfect size for 2 MSD's! On top of that, the walls are made of very thick foam to protect the dolls, and it has a little pocket for brushes and spare wigs. Sadly my SD won't fit into it but I tend to only go for MSDs or smaller when I go to a meet anyway.

 

I just recently ordered a Dollmore SD bag. As of right now, if I'm taking more than one of my big dolls, I wrap them up in a blanket and put them in a duffle bag. x:

 

I have a rilakkuma bag that's the perfect size for my MSD girl...I wrap her up and make sure she's padded and I'm just extra careful when carrying her around!!

 

I put mine in the bags they came in and put them all together in a carry on suit case. It has a handle and wheels so I can pull it.
I got it at walmart for $30 and it came with two smaller bags so if I bring less dolls and can use those bags too.

 

I don't have a doll carrying bag or case as of yet, but i plan to bring one of my dollies on my end of the year overseas trip this year and hope to purchase those violin cases that is able to hold one sd. There's just something about travelling around with a violin case in hand.

 

I would need a bag for my 70cm boy. Does anyone have any ideas? I can sew and hadn't thought about just making him one.

 

I'll see if I can find the new sewing 'duct tape' tutorial link for here I don't see why it shouldn't be very adaptable (i think its for an msd) but the basics should be the same... I've thought of several ways to change it for mutiple dolls even ;p. but I can't 'carry' that much weight anyhow so I stick to my buggy.

 

I just got a brand new mesh picnic basket...That my mom bought purely for being a doll bag. It's big enough for three MSD's plus a case of tinies. I adore it...QwQ