If they have not used a sewing machine before, I start them out with a piece of notebook paper and an unthreaded needle. When they can stitch on the line and I have to hold it up to see the stitching, they are ready for fabric. I would also suggest doing a threading diagram for each machine (if you have more than one) and laminate it. Use red to show the thread path. The older ones should be able to at least get a start. Setting up your 1/4 inch will be needed too. A pile of 5-more layers of blue painters tape on the 1/4 inch line will help give them a place to guide their fabric to. If possible, meet with your helpers before to talk about what you have planned.It will help to have a feel of your helpers experience. A few bonifide sewists/quilters will be more helpful than a room full of newbies. Newbies can be stationed at the ironing board...after a lesson in press press press..and not scrub scrub scrub! Let us know how it goes!