timely topic as I'm co-teaching a beginner's class right now. We start with a class on fabric selection--color, value, print value, etc. and rotary cutting. Then a week later, we started with rail fence--strip piecing, nesting seams, and accuracy were the skills, 3rd week is a star block--HST, flying geese (flip and sew) were the skills, followed by Drunkard's path (curved seam) and quilt care; applique(both neede turned and machine); an easy pineapple(a complex looking block that isn't--and how color & value can change the look); sashing/borders/binding and prepping for quilting; hand quilting. This is spread out with a couple of skipped weeks, which allows them to "catch up" if needed. We provide a notebook with basics and the written directions for each week. We also recognized that every one is a different type of learner--so besides written directions, we provide step-by-step displays, demos, and encourage them to use their phones to take pictures. We start each class with a show & tell and celebrate where each student is at that point, plus prizes periodically (FQ, needler threaders, etc). Overall, we stress the learning process, that perfection is not as important as learning by our mistakes and getting something finished, and having FUN!