Putting together jigsaw puzzles is a simple, affordable way to unwind. You’ll take time for yourself, practice strategic thinking, enjoy stress relief, and have a charming image that you can frame when you’re done.
If you’re thinking about completing puzzles as a hobby, ask yourself if you want to work alone or with friends. Puzzles invite everyone to relax, work together, and socialize, but some people find more fulfillment when they complete a puzzle individually. Once you’ve decided, it’s time to prepare your home for your new hobby.
Choose a Beginner Puzzle
With thousands of puzzles to choose from, your selection looks overwhelming at first. However, you’ll start by narrowing it down to puzzles with a few hundred pieces. These puzzles are challenging for adults but not frustrating. Once you’ve mastered these products, you can advance to puzzles with thousands of pieces.
Puzzles with large images and lots of colors are easier to put together than puzzles with small details and fewer colors. Most puzzles show a placid setting, such as a small town or a winter landscape, but you can find more eclectic options if these don’t interest you. Some companies even turn your own photos or drawings into puzzles.
Prepare Your Workspace
Once you’ve chosen a puzzle, find a room with a flat surface where you won’t be disturbed. Avoid beds, carpets, and fabric because the pieces might not stick together. You can complete a puzzle on your coffee table, countertop, or even a hardwood floor.
Next, measure the space to ensure that it’s big enough for your puzzle. You might want to invest in a puzzle table or board that you can place on different surfaces. Otherwise, you could run out of room and have to restart.
Some hobbyists buy puzzle mats, which provide a flat surface for your image. When you need space on the floor or table, you’ll roll up the mat and store it somewhere safe. Afterward, you’ll unroll the mat to resume your work. This is great for people with kids or pets who could destroy the puzzle if they leave it out.
Other accessories include puzzle scoops and trays. Puzzle scoops are flat tools that resemble thin spatulas. If you complete one section of a puzzle separately, you’ll scoop it up and attach it to the main picture. Likewise, trays allow you to organize the pieces into sections for easier building.
Sort the Pieces
After choosing a puzzle and setting up your workspace, place the edge pieces in a separate pile. Beginners typically start with the edges because this forms the image’s border. Once you have the frame, it’s easier to start filling in the rest.
Similarly, sort the remaining pieces into sections that look like they’re from the same part of the image. Make sure you keep the box because this is your guide for the entire project.
These tips help you get started, but over time, you’ll develop your own techniques. When you’re feeling stressed, break out a jigsaw puzzle and put on some music or an audiobook. You’ll get so focused that you’ll forget what you were worried about.