If you can get to your local tip with a stanley knife blade then you can probably get yourself some top quality leather from an old sofa. The great thing about real leather is that is can be joined very easily and strong with superglue.

I made some satchels and bags with my grand kids from hide from an old sofa, to hold catapault ammo, they turned out great, the kids loved doing it. One thing, be careful when holding superglued leather together, it exotherms, gets very hot.