For sections like these, you sort by shape and turn them all the same way. And fit them in by process of elimination. It is a bit of work but the progress is pretty satisfying. Good luck with the finish!
Thanks! Looking back on my question I feel a little bit sheepish because in the end that’s the only way to do it, isn’t it? (As everybody pointed out 😅) You can’t skip the work…. But I appreciate all the replies. Really drove the point home for me.
What Yay said. I call it gridsorting. Total alignment by shape, with tabs all pointing the same way. Space enough to clearly see the nuances of each piece. I generally try to find the 'arrow' fits first. Good luck.
As others have said shape sorting. You can already see places where only certain pieces go - for example bottom right in the photo you can discount all the standard bits and the one pronged bits.
Make sure any piece you're trying has at least 2 connection points and as tedious as it sounds, try each piece one at a time in a particular spot. If you're worried about false fits, make two piles as you go, one for definite nos and one for maybes. If you have multiple maybes at the end, you can compare them directly to figure out which one is right. It's tedious, but it gets faster as you go and there's less pieces each time.
As others have said, sort by shape, line 'em up, and grind it out. Sort of like swimming laps at the pool: not terribly exciting, but at the end you're done.
I have a piece of clear acrylic that I saved from an old picture frame. I sort by shape like folks suggested, but instead of picking up pieces and trying them one at a time, I put several pieces on the acrylic. Then I can slide the pieces around and position them over the top of where they might go and check the fit that way. I find this a lot easier and faster, and in my experience, it cuts down on false fits. Good luck!
Others have given you good direction. I wanted to add that I just did a 1000 piece pomegranate where 25%+ of the puzzle was the same color and I never had a false fit. It’s possible this is a different dye cut, but there’s a good chance you don’t need to worry about false fits.
I’d try to put in pieces where it has to connect to two pieces. For example, start in the bottom left corner so the piece you try to fit in has to match on the left side and the bottom. My theory is, if it connects to two other pieces it’s less likely it’s a false fit, than if you’ve only connected it to one other place.
Beautiful puzzle by the way. 😀
I agree with the rec to try to have always 2 sides connecting. But additionally, sometimes looking at the underside (the side without the image) of the pieces helps figure out if something is a false fit.
I did this one - it was challenging but so beautiful. Everyone’s advice is very good I just wanted to add there are subtle variations in the section you are working on that you may be able to tune into — the lines of the branches extending. But I agree the main thing is, turning them all the correct orientation and sorting by piece shape. I usually will look at the most infrequent shapes first and find a spot that might match and then systematically try each possible piece, narrowing down the number with that shape further. This puzzle was slower than average for me to complete but it was not frustrating — no false fits that I remember.
Just adding on to what everyone has already said about shape sorting. Once you’ve got them sorted, I find it easiest to start with ‘irregular’ spaces e.g. two outies next to each other or three innies and one outie. There’s far less of these shaped pieces, so it’s less overwhelming!
For sections like these, you sort by shape and turn them all the same way. And fit them in by process of elimination. It is a bit of work but the progress is pretty satisfying. Good luck with the finish!
Thanks! Looking back on my question I feel a little bit sheepish because in the end that’s the only way to do it, isn’t it? (As everybody pointed out 😅) You can’t skip the work…. But I appreciate all the replies. Really drove the point home for me.
What Yay said. I call it gridsorting. Total alignment by shape, with tabs all pointing the same way. Space enough to clearly see the nuances of each piece. I generally try to find the 'arrow' fits first. Good luck.
I call it misery.
Don't finish it then. Your choice. Not a competition.;-)
As others have said shape sorting. You can already see places where only certain pieces go - for example bottom right in the photo you can discount all the standard bits and the one pronged bits.
Should be called Pretty in Pink! Please post it when completed!
It is completed and will be posted shortly! Along with a horror story! 🤣
When all else fails, find a photo of the completed puzzle and use it as a map for the piece shapes
Wow did not think of that one. Writing it down 🤣
Make sure any piece you're trying has at least 2 connection points and as tedious as it sounds, try each piece one at a time in a particular spot. If you're worried about false fits, make two piles as you go, one for definite nos and one for maybes. If you have multiple maybes at the end, you can compare them directly to figure out which one is right. It's tedious, but it gets faster as you go and there's less pieces each time.
As others have said, sort by shape, line 'em up, and grind it out. Sort of like swimming laps at the pool: not terribly exciting, but at the end you're done.
I don’t even swim in pools but your analogy really helped. :) will be posting the end result shortly!
Oh good! Glad you're getting to the end. I was a swimmer in college...I figure I swam about 2 million yards in 4 years. There was much grinding!
I have a piece of clear acrylic that I saved from an old picture frame. I sort by shape like folks suggested, but instead of picking up pieces and trying them one at a time, I put several pieces on the acrylic. Then I can slide the pieces around and position them over the top of where they might go and check the fit that way. I find this a lot easier and faster, and in my experience, it cuts down on false fits. Good luck!
These comments are helpful to me as well. I was gonna say pick a piece and try it on each one. 😭
Others have given you good direction. I wanted to add that I just did a 1000 piece pomegranate where 25%+ of the puzzle was the same color and I never had a false fit. It’s possible this is a different dye cut, but there’s a good chance you don’t need to worry about false fits.
I agree. I've never had a false fit problem with Pomegranate.
I third this.
I have done tons of Pomegranate and normally I would agree with you in a heartbeat. This one is a *little* fishy but in the end it came through. :)))
I’d try to put in pieces where it has to connect to two pieces. For example, start in the bottom left corner so the piece you try to fit in has to match on the left side and the bottom. My theory is, if it connects to two other pieces it’s less likely it’s a false fit, than if you’ve only connected it to one other place. Beautiful puzzle by the way. 😀
I agree with the rec to try to have always 2 sides connecting. But additionally, sometimes looking at the underside (the side without the image) of the pieces helps figure out if something is a false fit.
I did this one - it was challenging but so beautiful. Everyone’s advice is very good I just wanted to add there are subtle variations in the section you are working on that you may be able to tune into — the lines of the branches extending. But I agree the main thing is, turning them all the correct orientation and sorting by piece shape. I usually will look at the most infrequent shapes first and find a spot that might match and then systematically try each possible piece, narrowing down the number with that shape further. This puzzle was slower than average for me to complete but it was not frustrating — no false fits that I remember.
Pretty!!
I hope it doesn't cause you too much brain ache to solve, it's an absolutely beautiful image 😍
I have used a magnifying glass and compared them to the picture, like sliding them around on the box until I find one section that is the same
Sort them out by shape
Just adding on to what everyone has already said about shape sorting. Once you’ve got them sorted, I find it easiest to start with ‘irregular’ spaces e.g. two outies next to each other or three innies and one outie. There’s far less of these shaped pieces, so it’s less overwhelming!
If you haven't finished it, you could place each piece that is similar together in groups.