BARGAINS : SEW UP DESIGNER FABRIC SAVINGS.

Byline: Trisha King & Deborah Newmark

One of the best things about being able to sew, or having access to someone who does, is complete control over the look of an ensemble. If you've ever wished that an outfit came with slacks instead of a skirt, or vice versa, maybe it's time to think about making your own clothes. If so, a good place to start is the CFOS Fabric Outlet Store.

Muted pastels are hot this spring, and you'll find plenty to choose from at CFOS for $6.99 to $10.99 a yard instead of up to $18 a yard elsewhere. Stretch velvet (60 inches wide and washable) that retails for $16 to $20 a yard is $9.99 a yard.

CFOS offers discounted fabrics from an unusual source - a well-known Southern California designer whose designs are sold in medium- to high-end department stores. Every six to eight weeks, this designer sends CFOS its remaining fabrics and other items used in a completed design. Although we've been sworn to secrecy about the designer's name, shoppers who spend any time in department stores will immediately recognize the designer who has selected these fabrics.

Most of the fabrics are made in Europe, and many are rayons made without acetate. Rather than seeing bolts squeezed in together, as in most fabric stores, CFOS has its fabrics displayed on large rolls that are grouped together in matching colors and patterns.

If you happen to be into unusual buttons, CFOS will become your favorite store. Buttons - wood, fabric-covered, mother of pearl, coconut shells, metal and plastic - are six for $1, and if you buy 24 or more, the price drops to 12 for $1 (a card of four plain plastic buttons retails for over $2). There is also a barrel of buttons for a penny each.

Through April 10,CFOS is having an anniversary sale: Buy one yard and get one free on some fabrics, or buy two yards and get the third for a penny on others.

Although CFOS doesn't sell patterns, it has pattern books to give you an idea of how much fabric you might need.

CFOS Fabric Outlet Store is at 19345 Victory Blvd. (in Loehmann's Plaza), Reseda; [phone]. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. American Express, Discover, MasterCard and Visa are accepted. All sales are final; no returns, no exchanges.

Inside info

Bodybuilders definitely will want to stop at Discount Medical Pharmacy for Met RX and RX Fuel. The pharmacy sells Met RX in a box of 20 packets for $36.99 (elsewhere $53.99) and RX Fuel in a box of 10 packets for $19.95 (elsewhere $25.99).

Other bodybuilding supplements are available at 15 percent above cost. The pharmacy also fills prescriptions at discounted prices and will handle your insurance billing. Discount Medical Pharmacy is at 2716 Griffith Park Blvd., Los Angeles; [phone]. Hours are 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.

If you want a new wardrobe at a low cost, gather your clothes that need alterations and head over to Quality Alterations. To hem jeans, the cost is $4 ($6.50 elsewhere), trousers or pants with cuffs $6 ($8.50 to $10.50 elsewhere), straight skirts $5 ($10.50 elsewhere) and skirts with linings $8 ($12.50 elsewhere). Call Quality Alterations at [phone] to schedule an appointment. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday.