I have three cats and two of them like to be where I am if they aren't playing and chasing each other. In my sewing area I have a plastic storage container on top of a cedar chest. Fella my big and oldest cat (7 yrs March 13th) likes the heighth so I put an old pillow with some old clothes on top of the pillow and that is where he sleeps when I am sewing. He even sleeps there when I am not sewing. The other kitty, Peaches (avatar pic) likes to lay on the bed on top of stash that I have covered with a sheet.
When in the living room where I have another machine on the fireplace hearth, if a fire is burning and I am sewing there, there is a cat bed on top of two boxes I stacked and that is where Fella will be and Peaches on top of my blue jean jacket close by. I have cat beds and kitty cube all over the house and depending on season they change their favorite spots.