I had almost zero sewing experience before I started making cloth diapers. People say that the great thing about making diapers is even if they don't come out quite right, they're still usable. I've learned a ton reading this board alone.
Anyway, I would suggest if you're going to do this, get a pattern. I like the
Darling Diaper AIO pattern, but she has a fitted pattern to that people love. What I like about it is that it comes with LOTS of directions and pictures to follow along. And you only need a sewing machine to make them - you don't need a serger or snap press or whatnot. And I think it's about the cheapest pattern out there you can buy. There are free ones too if you want to try one of those.
The initial fabric cost may shock you. I buy hemp and pul on line, but try to get flannels, birdseye and velour at local fabric stores - mainly b/c shipping fabric is expensive. Cio-ops are great but sometimes take a while to get to you.
The cost of a diaper to make depends on what materials you're using. But if you buy a yard of pul for $8, a yard of hemp for $8, and a yard of velour for $10 and can make at least four diapers out of all that (depends on size), that's $6.50 a diaper.
Learning curve - really, it didn't take me too long. At first I was trying to serge diapers, which is much harder, so not everything came out (though I got REALLY good at sewing hidden elastic, lol!) You really should make the first diaper or two using just cheap flannel, so you can get the feel of how to make them. But the first diaper I made from the Darling Diaper's pattern, my dd could wear and dh said it looked nearly as good as the ones I bought from wahm's. So I highly recommend this pattern.
