Watch Strap Questions

[pfisto]

Good afternoon,

Ok so this is my first post and making watch straps is going to be my next hobby. I am not sure how far I am going to go with this but if it's like any of my other hobbies............... I probably will make some belts and later on try my hand at holsters. I have allready made my stop at Tandy and picked some leather to practice sewing and some other tools

1. My main question how many of you do your own finishing or do you buy from a tannery all finished and just cut and sew??

2. Whats the best type of leather ie full grain aniline??

3. Is there a better thread to use??

4. What would be the better Awl to use size and quailty wise??

Thanks in advance for your time

Mike