One of the best feelings in life is to see a jigsaw puzzle in its full completed glory. Be it 200 pieces or 24 pieces one, the sense of accomplishment and seeing the fruit of your labor brings incredible joy.
However, jigsaw puzzles can be overwhelming when you see so many pieces and how you are supposed to put them all together. Looking beyond that, it can be an entertaining stress-relieving activity that can be done alone or with some company.
Here are some tips that will help make your experience with jigsaw puzzles fun and trauma-free:
Before the Game
- Start with Small Puzzles
– If doing it for the first time, pick something like 50-100 pieces. Sure, you always wanted to complete that Sistine Chapel ceiling painting comprised of 42 thousand pieces, but great things start from small beginnings. That way, you can build your pace and playing skills, plus it’s easier to see your progress.
2. Have a clean, good workplace
– It is best to have a well-lit workplace with a larger table than the size of your puzzle kit. If I don’t have enough space or a table to put on my puzzles, I use a big illustration board and cover it in a plastic bag when I’m not playing to make sure no piece is lost when moved. You can also buy a nice roll-up jigsaw puzzle mat, but it’s not a necessity.
3. Know what you want to do with the completed puzzle
– Once finished, will you frame and put it on display for the entire world to see? Or, will you just play for a bit and deconstruct it later? If you want to exhibit your work, it needs to be glued together before framing. I glue my puzzles together without a backer board by brushing the front area with regular all-purpose glue. When dry, I then brush the backside and it’s done!
And if you just wanted to play the puzzle for de-stressing and take it apart to be enjoyed again later, then be my guest.
4. Have a container to store your puzzle pieces
– You can use the original box to store your puzzle, but for those with small packaging, it would be better to transfer them in a container to avoid losing pieces. I used an old clear plastic box with compartments to keep them or, in the original box but placed the pieces into small plastic bags.
Piecing it All Together
- Check the pieces and Sort Them Out
– Lay them all face-up on the table to see the colors and shapes of the pieces. Pick out the pieces according to colors, patterns, or sections of the puzzle. I usually sort them according to the patterns: trees, flowers, etc., and I look for the puzzle borders, which is key to the next step.
2. Set up the Borders
– Start piecing together the borders to make it easier to determine the boundaries and the outline of the entire puzzle.
3. One Step at a Time
– Move to make small sections at a time. Place them where it’s supposed to be even if it doesn’t fit in with the borders or the other parts yet. And it doesn’t matter where you start – top to bottom or sides to center. Pay attention to the shape of the pieces, and it will be easier to get to the missing portion quicker.
4. Take a Break.
– If you get bored or tired, then take a breather. Puzzles are supposed to be fun and not a torture device. Do something else, and when you get back to it later, you will be surprised at how easy to find the right ones quicker.
Once you complete your puzzle kit, congratulate yourself for a mission accomplished no matter how long it took. I finished the 1000 pieces in 7 hours, and my friend finished his kit after 7 months. It is not exactly a race to make them, so do not beat yourself if you’re making slow progress. Progress no matter how gradual is an achievement by itself.
And if you love the time spent playing the kit, then perhaps you can move up another level and tackle a more challenging puzzle next time! For me, I’m saving up to get a 10,000 pieces kit.
ladyveilchen writes 