Maybe a little taste or smell of spray basting would help to convince the kitty of not helping with this part!!! I had a kitty once who just oved to put her little paws and claws into my feet when using the pressor foot.......this made for some very funky sections when sewing.........so I broke her of this habit by everytime a claw would go in.........my knee would raise and spray her with a shot of water. This worked for a couple of months until one day while chasing the water sprinkler in the yard she realized she loved to play in water. Now I sooo miss my little helper.