Any Ace Hardware or Harbor Freight around you? They usually have different kinds of aprons. Likewise, big box stores. Check the grill section as well as the wood working section.
I see online Harbor Freight has an all leather welder apron for about $11.
I bought a canvas one, don't recall where, with a leather lower panels. Unfortunately, I do a lot of my carving sitting down, and its too short. Only covers the upper part of my thighs, which isn't much protection. Typically just throw it over my lap.
What I use most for carving and sanding are just 2 large place mats we had sitting around. The fabric is heavy, they have a layer of foam, and I drape one across each leg. They've worked well. Several slashes in them from slipped gouges and knives. I s'pose they look kind of silly, but then, until recently half my tools were in an old cigar box, and the other half in a cleaned out gallon paint bucket.
