If your linings seem to be too big and don't fit all that well inside whatever you are sewing, one thing you can do is to tack them down. I know it seems like linings should be smaller than the exterior, but if they are smaller then the lining can start to pull on the exterior fabric and distort the shape of your bag/accessory. Rather than trying to make a smaller lining, try tacking it down instead.
To me this is really a couture technique and I don't think it is always necessary, but taking the time to do this can take your finished items up a notch in quality.
Here is how to do it:
1. Thread a needle with thread matching the exterior fabric.
2. From the lining side, insert the needle directly in the side or bottom seam and then come out right through the seam on the exterior side. It is important to be right in the seam or the stitches are going to show on the outside.
Once your needle is through both layers of fabric pull the thread until the knot disappears into the seam.
3. Make one small stitch by inserting the needle in the exterior seam in between the existing machine stitches. Basically what you are doing is weaving the thread through the existing machine stitches.
4. Continue all the way around the lining and then tie off on your thread on the lining side when you get to the end. To make it go faster I make the hand stitches on the lining side span about 2-3 of the machine stitches. In other words, on the lining side is one longer hand stitch and on the outside is one small hand stitch.
