I had one who would not stay off the counters so I used double stick tape for a few days and she got the hint. It does not hurt them but they don't like the feel.

When I'm not home the cat stays in his area, I know that because the door is shut. I learned to do that when a friend lost her cat due to a fire and of course no one was home and the cat hid, no way to find the cat to save it. In one room when no one is home, and at night, at least we know where the cat will be have a better chance of saving him.

I just have to laugh at all the comments! Cats do what cats want to do. My cat, a calico, will do what she darn well wants to do.
We don't train them - they train us!
She sleeps where she wants to, when she wants to, and most of the time it is where either fabric or a quilt is,if there happens to be both - even better!

Gotta love them!! My Siamese have me well trained. At this minute one is sleeping on a wet sweater that I was drying and shaping. Guess she doesn't think it needs shaping and I thought cats didn't like wet "stuff" :-o

Mine will jump in the shower with anyone if the door is left open! I can use a hand shower and give him a good bath and he'll just stand there. He hates the blow dryer though.

My cat doesn't get on the table either. She waits for the dogs to give her the all clear and then she does! Evidence: soft black hair on the runner.

I've had 3 cats over 45 years. They were and are NOT welcome anyplace food is prepared or served. Each learned because I was vigilant with a spray bottle of water when they could first jump high enough. They also don't get on coffee tables, end tables or dressers. And my dogs (from daschund to great dane and now a retriever) are not allowed on the furniture. It's like teaching a child not to touch.

a big YES!

Sounds like you need to make many table runners. Perhaps the cat would like his own custom table runner. Just whip it off the table and replace when you have dinner or company.

My cat isn't allowed on the table, but he does love to help me work with my fabrics!!