I’ve always used batting, but it’s a personal choice, some people don’t. I love them fluffy & puffy cozy & warm. You don’t have to have special scissors but ones that are sharp to the points really make clipping easier. I always double sew each seam during construction then after clipping I take it outside and really give it a good shake before tossing in the washer. Then I shake it again outside before putting in the dryer. I check it every 15-20 minutes in the dryer, take it out & shake it good & clean the lint trap. ( the birds love the strings I shake out) after that first laundering mine don’t really create a huge amount of lint each wash, but some. I don’t launder them constantly. Generally just when required- if something spills , or every 1-3 months if they are being used a lot. The kids use them for forts, travel quilts and play quilts. They are much loved.