I think you have to be careful with the knowledge level of people when they walk in the door. I took a beginning quilting class and the instructor -and several of us students ended up having to teach basic machine usage (bobbin winding, threading, etc.) - it was a 6 week class, one week was in a fabric store doing fabric selection. The instructor did all the cutting (a LOT of work) and people were bummed that they didn't learn how to rotary cut. It's a year later and I know that only 4 of the 12 people actually finished their projects (it was a trip around the world that was twin size -MUCH too big for a beginner class; and the teacher hadn't ever made it using the pattern she had us using). So, whatever you make, be sure that you have made it first!
good luck!