Can anyone tell me anything about their experiences with cloth diapers? I am seriously thinking about trying these for my 1-year-old, so any recommendations at all would help a lot!

I used cloth diapers with my daughter for about 18 months. I only switched to disposables because having to move me and the kids from overseas back to home when their dad asked for a divorce.
I liked them. You can make them, buy then on ebay, or new. Buying them used isn't as gross as it sounds though!
If you breastfeed, you don't even have to clean them out, just drop them in the wash. Breastfeed baby's poop doesn't stain. But if you bottlefed, you will need to soak them. Then when they start solids, it is the same as when you clean out your toddler's accidents in their new underwear.
All I did was have enough to wash about every 2-3 days. I would fill the washer with water about half-way, throw the dirty ones in there and then wash when I had enough to make a load.
Of course there is alot more information to use than what I typed, it's not really that hard or complicated.
There is a wealth of information on the net. If you have another other questions, or want to know which sites to start on, let me know. I cant find them again.

Are you serious? Breastfed baby's poop doesn't stain. I just learned something new and here I am on my fourth! Oh, and I'd love any resources you could send my way as far as sites go. Thanks so much!!

Information on cloth diapers:
http://www.diaperjungle.com/cloth-diaper-guide.html
http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-ppdiapers
http://www.mothering.com/discussions/forumdisplay.php?f=221

I have bought from this one in the past:
http://www.kellyscloset.com/

And some others:
http://www.diaperpin.com/home.asp
http://www.sahmdiapers.com/
http://www.greenmountaindiapers.com/

A article on mothering.com about them:
http://www.mothering.com/articles/new_baby/diapers/joy-of-cloth.html

One great thing about cloth diapers is that you can resell them on ebay when you are done and recoupe some of your investment. I did this with my daughter's diapers and I think after all was done, I gained about 75% back of what I invested. The savings over disposable can't be bet imo.

We used cloth diapers for both of my daughters and recommend them. We never had trouble with rash, felt good about the environment and we saved a lot of money, which was important because we went from two salaries to one salary after the first birth and stayed that way until the youngest was in junior high.

We soaked the diapers in a pail with borax, after rinsing the poopy ones in the toilet and given all the stuff that goes on with babies, this wasn't particularly gross. The diapers were washed in hot water and then hung out on the line to dry. (I'm going to try to post a photo.)

I still have some diapers in my pile of cleaning rags, and I remember when I was growing up my mom had diapers mixed in with her cleaning rags, too. I have come to realize that she must have done, as I do ... when a diaper comes to the top of the rag pile, I reach below for a piece of torn sheets or old T-shirt. I don't want those diapers to wear out.

I think that the pictures convinced me! They are super adorable. I just have to figure out where to start. What are the essentials for cloth diapering? Someone told me the other day that depending on what you buy, the start-up cost can really add up. What was your experience with this?

I actually made most of my diapers with the Gerber clothe diapers you get to be used a spit up clothes and some flannel from the fabric store. I was then able to pick out some cute prints.
I made the hourglass shaped diapers, with the pre-folded in the middle to be used as soakers.
I then bought the covers for them.
I did splurge and buy some fuzzi bunz for night time use and some AIOs for going out for my own ease of use.
So for me, I think I had invested about $150-$200. I don't remember exactly.
I saved some more money by making one size dipes. The ones I had fit newborn all the way to toddler.

Uh the diapers and pins. But all I know is that they are kinda a hassle when it comes to washing them but it's way cheaper, I would think. Good luck.

You can use velrco or snap closures. ; I never used diaper pins.

I just tried to find the velcro or snap diapers to no avail. Went to Wal-Mart and Target but they only had the ones that you would pin. Any suggestions?

You are not going to find the kinds of diapers most people use from walmart or target. You will have to buy them online. I guess there isn't enough demand for them to carry them in the store. Walmart and target are only going to sell the flat or pre-fold bird's eye diapers from gerber. There are great to have on hand for extra soakers, like at night. Or to use for spit up clothes, which almost every mom uses.

My best suggestion is to browse the internet for cloth diapers. Kelly's closet is a good place to start. http://www.kellyscloset.com/

And also check out some message boards devoted to cloth diapering. They are awesome in learning. Cloth diapers are alot like looking for baby items with the first baby. There is so much to choose from you don't know what to get, but it's not as daunting as it seems.

My personal preference was to get shaped diapers (actually I made them to cut costs) and use covers. I used gerber pre-fold diapers at night for extra soaker use. I bought some good quality diaper covers. But you only need 2-4 for each size. I did splurge on some Fuzzi Bunz for night time use. They are awesome for keeping moisture off baby's skin.

I tried cloth diapers and hated them !!

I'm all about what easy and time saving. For me, that's disposable diapers.

I just had to many times that the diapers would leak and then I'd have to change the clothes.
It was just a huge hassle !

I think the only way to really know is to try it out and do what works for you. I think I'll be doing that soon, before baby comes. Will keep you guys updated!