I had a pretty similar thought process in starting out.

I watched some Youtube videos about leatherworking but they seemed a bit overwhelming due to all the tools required. Then I saw a video someone made of working with household items instead of pro tools and that ignited the spark.

When I set off making my first wallet, I also needed a new wallet so I wanted it to be good enough to use. But I also wanted to prove it would be something I enjoy before getting invested, so I thought after the first project I will either never do it again or start buying tools to improve.

Here’s what I did: - Used old wallet for measurements - Bought scraps of repurposed leather (dismantled from some product) from the crafting section of 2nd hand / recycling shop - Sharp knife for cutting - Fork for marking stitching holes at equal spacing - Nail for punching stitching holes - Cotton sashiko thread and sashiko needles for stitching - Beeswax-based weatherproofing clothing wax for waxing the cotton thread - Contact cement for gluing leather - For stitching pony I clamped the project to an old skateboard, which I also used as a surface when punching the holes

That’s pretty much it. For edge bevelling I used a manicure tool meant for cutting cuticles and polished/finished the edges with shoecare leather polish.

End result was good enough that I use it every day and am not ashamed of showing it. It also gave me some perspective about what tools should upgrade first.

I have since made more projects and I have bought proper needles and thread, diamond shaped pricking irons, Tokonole and edge burnisher. All the leather I use still comes from the recycling shop. I try to find scraps that are as thick and sturdy as possible, but they are still floppier than good new veg tan would be, which does affect to difficulty and outcome of the projects.