We put a potty chair in the bathroom around 12 months old and told her it was her little potty to use when mommy went. She would toddle in there and sit. One morning, around 18 months, she took off her diaper and sat (on her own). A few weeks later, she sat and peed right after she woke up. (The look of surprise on her face was priceless.) At that point, we put her on it every morning and after every nap, sometimes she would pee sometimes not. We started trying for real around 22 months, and she was done (except for sleeping) at 23 months.
As far as pull-ups vs cloth, I tried the cloth first. She HATED them and would run screaming at the sight (especially the ones with the plastic outer layer). Pull-ups worked just fine, even though she knows they are like a diaper.
Take it slowly, no pressure, but don't wait to introduce the potty seat. They are still receptive to new ideas at 1...