BARGAINS : DRAPE YOURSELF IN SAVINGS AT STERN'S DISCOUNT STORE.

Byline: Trisha King and Deborah Newmark

To save money, many of us are tackling jobs that we previously would have paid someone else to do.

Making draperies and reupholstering furniture can save lots of money, and you'll save on discounted fabrics at Stern's Discount Drapery Center in Sherman Oaks.

For example, a name-brand voile (sheer fabric), normally found in high-end designer fabric books, usually retails for $17 or more. The same name-brand voile at Stern's is $7. Many of their printed fabrics run $7 a yard rather than as much as $19 retail.

Stern's is a family-owned and operated business that opened in 1951. The company is now in the hands of the third generation, who continue the tradition of passing along volume pricing - 20 percent to 50 percent below retail, sometimes more - as well as top-notch service, to their customers.

All 250,000 yards of their in-stock fabrics are first-quality and, in general, prices run $7 to $27 per yard. You'll find velvets, tapestries, chenilles, damasks, sheers, cottons (including prewashed slipcover fabrics), linens and every other fabric used in draperies and upholstery. Brand names include Covington, Bloomcraft, Mill Creek, Cravat and others.

Many of the fabrics are on rollers for easy viewing, but whatever you do, don't hesitate to look behind standing rolls. There are so many rolls in the store that sometimes things get hidden, such as a unique floral tapestry on beige chenille for $30 a yard instead of more than $100 retail.

Along with fabrics, Stern's provides custom draperies, bedspreads, pillows, coverlets, shams and dust ruffles, plus a choice of box-pleated, cloud, balloon and arched valances. Swags and Roman shades are also available. Custom prices run 30 percent to 50 percent below department store prices. Although quite unusual in today's world, all work is performed by Stern's, not subcontractors, and they honor delivery and installation times.

Stern's Discount Drapery Center is at 13861 Ventura Blvd. (at Stern Avenue), Sherman Oaks; [phone]. Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. MasterCard and Visa are accepted. No returns on cut fabrics.

Inside info If your tennis or squash racket needs restringing, you should stop at the Racket Doctor. Prices start at $12.99 (elsewhere $20). They also do regripping of all rackets, with prices starting at $2.99 (elsewhere $6). Both services can be done while you wait, or if you can't make it to the shop, you can mail your rackets, which they will return for a nominal fee. Also, ask about their low prices on in-line skate repairs. The Racket Doctor is at 3214 Glendale Blvd., Los Angeles; [phone]. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Your children can get their creative juices flowing at Kids 'N Paint. With prices starting at $3, they can paint a magnet and have it glazed. It's a nice way to spend the afternoon with your child. In fact, you can spend as much time at the store as needed. At this price, it's much cheaper than going to the movies. They also do birthday parties. Kids 'N Paint is at 10338 Reseda Blvd., Northridge; [phone]. Hours are 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

MEMO: Trisha King and Deborah Newmark are co-authors of a book about bargain shopping. Bargains appears Saturdays. Please send suggestions of stores for possible future columns to Bargains, Daily News Features Department, P.O. Box 4200, Woodland Hills, Calif. 91365-4200.

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Photo: Charlie Chavez, right, assists Betty Gottlieb as she examines fabric at Stern's Discount Drapery Center in Sherman Oaks, where pricing is as much as 50 percent below retail.

Tina Gerson/Daily News