When I started quilting all I had was a machine, pencils, paper, and cardboard for templates. And wow, was I happy when I found out about using plastic margarine tub lids for making templates! They didn't get worn out by drawing around them like cardboard did. There was many a time when my hands were sore and just about blistered from cutting out pieces with scissors.
The things I wouldn't want to give up... a cutting mat, ruler, and rotary cutter!