/cgl/ - Cosplay & EGL

I would like to get into making foam armor for some dark souls cosplay for me and my friends for next years local convention; however I am a true beginner at making things like this. I don't even have basic tools like an x-acto knife yet. I've been watching a lot of tutorials on how to get started and it seems there are so many tools necessary , and even if they are around $5-20 each it starts to add up tremendously, what should I do in order to start out, I'm fine with spending money if I can see results from it, but I'm worried I might get all this stuff and find out I'm hopelessly terrible at making costumes. Any advice on what I should do to start out?