How Do I Decide? - decision help for making your cloth diapers

It can be overwhelming deciding what type of diaper you are going to make, what fabrics you are going to use and what pattern and sewing method.  The thing is there really isn't a wrong choice, just a right choice for you.  Using some of the blog posts here I am going to help you do this. 

Choosing your diaper style:
Start with the Diaper Styles Review page.  As you read through it make notes.  If you can print it off that may make it easier.  But note which ones appeal to you and cross off the one that don't.  Then read up further on the styles you like to firm up your decision. The name  of each diaper on the review page is a link to a more indepth look at that diaper style.  Next write down the types of materials needed for your top style picks.  Its probably good if you have a few top picks at this point. 
Also in this part read about diaper covers here

Finding your preferred fabrics:
Next take a look at the Fabric Reference Page. Use this page as you did the diaper styles review page.  Go through and note in some way which fabrics appeal to you.  Also consider reading my posts about key fabric decisions
•the truth about bamboo here
•MF - a fabric to think twice about here
•how do i combine my fabrics here
I have other posts also but I feel these three are important to understand.

With your preferred fabrics notated compare with your preferred diaper styles.  Do they match?  If you checked off pockets and aio's but then checked wool; take another look at wio's, Fitted's and minis.  Likewise if you picked HF's and not fleece take another look at aio's, Fitted's Wio's etc. 

Now you are getting some where and your style is really starting to show!  With your top picks make a list of fabric types needed (include optionals) and list which fabrics you picked for the types needed.  For example:

HF:
Water resistant: blizzard fleece
Absorbent: hemp terry
Topper: cotton sherpa
Decorative outer: none
(Just to clarify this is a random example)

Your final decision is the pattern.  DSS has a list of free patterns here.  You can also find patterns for sale online or the babyville pattern book available online and in many fabric stores.  You can even draft your own.  If you love the pattern of a pocket diaper but want to make an aio don't worry!  Take the pattern you like to get the fit you want then Google or YouTube a tutorial for the style you want.  They all fit together.  I use the same pattern pieces for each style cuz I adjusted to fit my Monkey.  When choosing a pattern for cut keep your baby's shape in mind.  I've written a post about that too called Chunky Monkeys & Skinny Minnie's.

Now its time to enjoy sewing.  Your last decision will be to serge or t&t (turn and topstitch).  There are only 2 things to look at when making this decision:
1: which do you like the look of.
2. Do you own a serger. (If not t&t is your best option). 
Happy Sewing Friends!