Hey guys! So I'm fresh off the boat here... Like I have zero leather working experience other than doing up my belt in the morning. What attracted me to the hobby/trade was surprisingly enough.. YouTube! I know it's not as easy as it looks, but I think I'll really enjoy leather working once I get started. The first thing I wanted to make is a messenger bag with a gusset.. I want the bag to be able to hold a 15.6" laptop plus a binder on the other side of the divider (pretty average messenger bag?..) and I have loads of questions... I guess I'll just list them off?
1. So, as I have no leather working tools, what should I get as the bare essentials to get me to started off making the bag?
(I can get the cutting mat and exact-o blades for cutting, I'm just talking about punches and needles and all the bare essentials).
2. What kind of leather should I use? I want the bag to be able to withstand normal wear and tear but feel nice and soft (not like a holster-type leather that's really thick, but something that just feels nice in the hand if that makes sense...)
3. Based on what I've mentioned, does anyone know where I could find (preferably free) patterns for something like this?
4. Is a project like this too complex for someone who is just coming into the hobby?
Thanks in advance guys! and Sorry, I know millions of posts like this one have circulated I just figured I'd ask.