Introduction: Travel Roller Suitcase for 18" Doll
I've always loved making things, and we have a lot of cardboard, so I make stuff for my dolls out of it. I was playing with my dolls a few weeks ago and I decided I wanted my dolls to go to Hawaii, but I didn't have a suitcase for them to make it more realistic. The doll suitcases at the store are super expensive, so I got some duct tape and cardboard and I made one. I made it have:
- a sliding handle
- a lid so I could open it up when needed to put items in it
- wheels to make it roll
Step 1: Gather Materials
You'll need:
1 roll duct tape or strong tape
1 cardboard box at least one by two ft
1 box cutter knife
1 pair scissors
2 sets of 1" Velcro pieces
1 small tube superglue unless you have already sticky Velcro
1 pencil
2 washers
2 screws
2 nuts
1 cushion to cut the cardboard on such as foam so the knife doesn't scratch anything
Step 2: Cut the Cardboard
You are going to need the following pieces of cardboard:
4- 7" by 3 1/2" pieces
2- 3 1/2" by 3 1/2" pieces
2- 3/4" by 1" pieces
1- 5" by 3 1/4" piece with the middle cut out of it, leaving about half an inch on every side, which will be your handle
Step 3: Add the Wheels (optinal)
On two of the 7" by 3 1/2" pieces take your scissors and make a whole just big enough at the bottom left on both pieces. Then, put the screws in the washers and put one of each in each of the two wholes. Next, take the nuts and screw them on the backside of the screws. Make sure that when you screw the nut on it is not too tight, as the washer should be able to move like a wheel.
Step 4: Tape
Tape 4- 7" by 3 1/2" pieces together to make a box. Then tape 2- 3 1/2" by 3 1/2 pieces together, putting one on the top and one on the bottom. On the end that will be the top, cut two holes at the very edge 3/4" long and 1/2" wide. This is where you will later insert the handle. You will want to put the holes with about 2" of space between. Leave the edge with the holes untaped (don't tape it to the side of the suitcase).
Step 5: Add Handle
Tape your handle so it is covered in duct tape. Then slide it through the open edge by the holes you just cut. The handle should fit nicely in the holes you made. After that, tape the edge up.
Step 6: Make Lid
Cut one edge on the side opposite the side with the wheels. This will be your lid. Take your remaining cardboard pieces (these should be the smallest ones you cut) and take your box cutter and score the pieces across the center (the width). This is so you can bend it nicely. Cover these "tabs" with tape, open the lid, and tape the "tabs" to the underside of the lid so that the crease is just above the edge of the lid. Put one side of the Velcro on each of the tabs. Put the other side on the suitcase opposite the tab so that the lid can close.
Step 7: Decorate
Decorate this however you want but be sure to tape up everything so that no cardboard is showing.. If you don't want to, you don't have to tape the inside.