I have a sewing room cat. He is usually curled up in a pile of fabric or the scrap basket. I have never seen him eating thread or fabric bits but I make a point of keeping them picked up before I leave the room. I have to be sure the spools of thread are not left sitting out because he will play with those. Pet hair on my project doesn't bother me. I rather it be on fabric I can wash then on the furniture I can't.