Okay, Sal, following on from the other thread.

- Do you prefer flats or fitteds?
I prefer prefolds (like flats, but a bit thicker and smaller) for a newborn, generally, because they tend to dry quicker, and nappy changes are more frequent.
As for nappies that are shaped, there are a few kinds:
Fitteds: shaped like a sposie, but need a cover. I tend to use fitteds (or prefolds) and a cover til bub is on solids, because the cover provides a second barrier against poo blowouts! Breastmilk poo can come out with a lot of force! They can be very absorbent (because they're made entirely of absorbent material).
Pockets: shaped like a sposie, it's kind of like a cover that you can stuff with absorbent material. A favourite of many, because, since you can pull them apart, they'll still dry quickly, and you can stuff them to suit how much your child wees.
AIO's: All in ones. Shaped like a sposie, and basically like a sposie that you can wash. The simplest to use, but some can take forever to dry, or the quick dry ones sometimes aren't as absorbent. Many come with a lay-in booster, or:
AI2's: All in two's. Fall under the umbrella of AIO's usually, the inserts aren't built in, they snap in. So, can be pulled apart for quick drying, but aren't confusing to stuff, you just snap the insert on.

-Do you buy premades or make your own?
I tend to buy, because I'm lazy with sewing, but many people sew their own. I make my own boosters and wipes.
-If you make your own what patterns do you use?
I'll let someone else tell you about sewing your own. I'll get there one day!

-When's a good time to start stocking up and how many should you have?
Hmm. It can be an overwhelming upfront cost (depending on what you buy of course), so now is good! That's if you've done your research and know what you want. It might not hurt to start with flats/prefolds and a couple of different types of fitteds, and then when bub is born, see what suits your baby/what you like to use, and then buy more. Flats/prefolds can be pretty safe to buy a dozen of, because they make good all-purpose change mat liners/spew rags/cradle liners.
How many should you get? The formula is: Nappy changes x how often you want to wash/dry.
For example...a newborn can be 10-12ish changes a day, you want to wash every second day, so that's um...20-24? If the nappies dry on the same day you wash them.

I'm going to have 24 prefolds (we also have 24 flannel flats, but I'm useless with them, though dh is ace) with about 4-5 covers, and then a few fitteds and a couple of pocket nappies that I know fit new babies really well. Just to give you an idea.
For my older bub though, it's a mix of AIO/2's, Pockets and Fitteds!

Hope that helps, feel free to ask away if you have more questions!