5 tips for completing a jigsaw puzzle

As a child I absolutely loved doing jigsaw puzzles and yet at some point as I get older, I had less time to sit down and enjoy them. During lockdown I re-discovered my love of jigsaw puzzles and now, during the second lockdown and the colder months at home, I have been dusting off my puzzles and am ready to continue puzzling my way through the next few months.

Completing a jigsaw puzzle can be tricky, I love 1000 pieces and upwards, so I’m sharing my top five tips for completing a jigsaw puzzle!

1. Find a flat surface to fit your puzzle

Finding a flat surface to fit your puzzle is the most important thing when it comes to completing a jigsaw. If you’re completing a very large puzzle it can often take a number of days to complete so it may be impractical to use the dining room table for example. I have a large jigsaw mat which rolls up when not in use, keeping your jigsaw safe and secure inside, and I definitely recommend it.

2. Sort your jigsaw pieces before you begin

The first thing I do when I get a jigsaw is sort through the pieces, separating the edges from the centre pieces. I then place every piece facing upwards, either in the box if large enough or in separate jigsaw trays, colour coded if I am attempting something particularly tricky, and although it is time consuming it definitely helps when you start completing your puzzle.

3. Start with the border 

The main tip when completing a jigsaw is to always start with the border. Once you have that in place you can start to build the centre pieces and it is far more enjoyable than trying to piece together bits with no structure.

4. Work on small sections at a time 

When it comes to building your centre pieces it’s best to work on one small section at a time. I start with the brightest coloured area, with recognisable pieces I can easily pick out from the rest, and I find once you have a focal point in place it’s far easier to build around it.

5. Have fun!!

Puzzling should be fun and if it isn’t then maybe it’s not for you! I love puzzles of all kinds but especially love using our own photos uploaded to create custom photo puzzles.

So there you have it, our top tips for making puzzling fun! Do you enjoy jigsaw puzzles?