I haven't used the Fairfield brand, but for some reason I think it's a lower quality than Hobbs. I love the Hobbs 80/20 and do by mine at JAF, but I buy it off the roll and have never had a problem with thin spots. I've had better luck buying off the roll by the yard. I did purchase some other cut & packaged brand, but had the same experience you did, thin in spots and just inferior looking.