(S07E07) After a week off, 'Project Runway' returns with an unconventional material challenge. In this week's challenge, competitors had $150 to create an outfit from materials at a hardware store. While some competitors grab obvious things like sandpaper, sheet metal, and chicken wire, others were tempted by paint trays and washers. Luckily for Seth Aaron, he got to make something that was a bit boring, but was immune from the last challenge.

It seems very obvious, but wouldn't a person going to a hardware store first grab items that would cover their model, then figure out embellishments? While she got little to no air time in this episode, Amy had the best idea using the textures of sandpaper. Enough sheets can cover her model, but she gets to play with patterns. Even with a larger budget, wouldn't Emilio's piece just look like battle armor or like a gay fish? I think the idea was doomed from the start.

Tim goes to his critiques and covers the people who were basically in the top and bottom. Tim supported Mila's designs but wanted to make sure the cuff accessory wasn't an afterthought. Jesse's piece was called an Elizabethan mini or Minnie Mouse, both fit. Tim warns him that his outfit may look too costume. Anthony and Tim are on the same wavelength: Anthony's dress is bad. Tim is stunned by Jay's pants and Maya's key necklace.

There are some setbacks that plague several of the contestants. Emilio doesn't have enough washers and turns his outfit into a bikini. Jay's model can't fit into her pants so he has to add two inches to the sides. After seeing the final product, I was surprised how seamless the add-ons felt. Jesse thinks there is too much copper (Jonathan and Ben both had copper) so he colors his copper silver? Who grabs silver paint in a hardware store? Surprisingly, no one had gold (other than Amy's keys) and Jesse's would have looked more interesting in a gold paint/silver bottom two tone, or even if he kept it copper/silver.

On the day of the runway, no one is excited. Jesse and Jonathan joke about Heidi announcing a bottom ten. Jesse decides to go tape crazy last minute, while others hot glue and sew their final pieces together. I still don't know how he did it but Emilio manages to cover Holly's naughty bits. Jay sews in her model so she can't pee. Oh, the sacrifices for fashion.

Along with Michael and Nina, the guest judges are fashion designer Isabel Toledo and Stephen Webster jewelry designer. As the dresses walk down, I have to admit that I like Mila's as a point of difference, even though it's even more color blocking. The fact that she had white was a very smart choice. Jonathan's does seem a bit big, but you knew he was safe since they never really focused on him this episode. Anthony's dress is generic, while Ben's looked messy. Emilio's outfit was a total what-the-hell look. It looked like Wendy Pepper's un-inflated balloon dress in season one. For some odd reason I could also see that outfit succeed in 'Toddlers and Tiaras.'

The high scorers were Mila (stiffness creating flow, witty accessory), Maya (great head to toe, fashion forward), and Jay (amazing belt, luxury out of trash). The winner was Jay, and he has immunity for the next episode. The low scores were Emilio (cheesy, thrown on), Anthony (prom, boring), and Jesse (tin man, Hershey Kiss, dirty vacuum bag). Jesse was eliminated. Luckily for the other girls on 'Models of the Runway,' Alexis was also eliminated.

I'm not going to miss Jesse at all. His designs never really impressed, while at least Emilio's applique winning design was decent. Something about the way he talked in interviews rubbed me the wrong way. In general, it has to be really disappointing to be eliminated in the weird material challenge. How did you like the results? Leave comments below.

[Find clips and episodes of 'Project Runway' at SlashControl.]