I have two small dogs and don't have a problem. The youngest will lay at my feet while I'm sewing and sleep. After awhile he gets bored so we go in the back yard and play catch for a little bit and he's happy to go take another nap. The older on who is female just lays in her bed in the den.

Good Luck !! Cats are smarter than we think .. But my dog will tell you otherwise !LOL

There is positively no way to outsmart a cat! They don't care if you scream..nothing bothers them. I learned long ago I live in a home totally controlled by Mr.Peach! He does exactly what he wants and when he wants. If I shut him out he cries and the foot is under the door. I personally use clips and try not to use many pins..Oh well, I do love that silly cat!

Mine likes to chase my threads but I have yet to have them go after my pins. It is gotten were It is not a good quilt unless it is "kitty tested." Did not know that about Citrus

Cats are always smart minded you may think you have out smarted them but they learn quickly. I think I would just give up lol I think she just wants to be with you and be part of what your doing. Maybe give them space at the other end of the table/desk with some soft fabric to lay on with some toys to bat around, good luck! Even my dog lays down under my table and right at the foot pedal I think he is trying to tell me something!

I had a cat a few years back that somehow played with a thread that had a sewing needle at the end.....long story short she got the thread in her mouth and the needle was swollowed. I realized something was wrong when she started spitting up blood and put two and two together......she had to undergo surgery and luckily it was just cought in time. I am super cautious when I have my sewing out . They are very curious .

My dogs and cats love the spritzer bottle. It doesn't matter what I give them to play with--fabric, batting or whatever--they want what I have. My husband says it's like living with a house full of toddlers. They hear what you're saying, but then look at you and do whatever they want to do!

I lay out a couple pieces of newspaper, and find a few "rings" from the top of juice containers we've opened. That seems to keep them interested in other things for an hour or two. . . well, until it's time to baste the quilt. I haven't figured that one out yet.

I haven't had your challenges with my puss but she does seem to love to be on my fabric when I am cutting it. Cats are so quick and I am always in fear of cutting her with the rotary cutter. When doing lots of cutting, just returning her to the floor becomes a game of on the table/off the table. I resort to either closing her in another room for a span of time or closing ME in a room to keep her little paws safe. You know cat antics are cute, but only the first time. Love those kitty helpers. My thoughts are with you.:)

Sounds like she needs a playmate to keep her busy. It's just a thought.
My daughters cat likes to chew on thread, elastic, yarn you name it. A few months ago he got a hold of the thread on the sewing machine. It cost them $1,200.00 for the surgery and all. They took out 5 yards of thread. I think the more he tried to spit it out the more he ingested. I had a dog once that got a hold of my pin container. Lucky I had a cow magnet nearby and just rubbed it around his mouth.
I don't have any better ideas then what's already been said, good luck with the kitty.