Carla C Simply Sweet Pattern i.e. attaching a gathered skirt to the bodice

I am very new to sewing (and love it!!) I have attempted 3 dresses using the Carla C Simply Sweet Pattern..but I have trouble every time with the following:

When I have a gathered skirt and attach to the bodice it seems so thick where they join (on the inside of the dress)

When attaching a ruffle to a skirt bottom I have trouble making the ruffle seem even..some places look more gathered than others. I have been using the "sewing over floss" method to create the ruffle.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

Thank you for the advice.  I will buy pinking shears and a ruffler foot!

As the previous poster said, the seam where the gathered skirt meets the bodice will be bulky. I like to top stitch that seam (against the bodice) to control the bulk. If this is a lined dress, you could consider pleating the lining instead of gathering, which will reduce bulk.

To improve the gathering, use two parallel lines of basting stitches, one above your final seam and one below. Sewing the seam between the two rows helps hold the gathering while you run the fabric through your machine. (Obviously, you'd want to be cautious with fabrics which will bear marks from needle holes). Also, before you gather, divide the skirt width into quarters or eighths (or even sixteenths for a very full skirt) and mark with a pen or loose tack stitches. Then you only have to focus on getting the gathering even within each section, which is much easier to manage.

I also like to divide mine up! Before you get ready to sew them on place ,the iron on them to kind of flatten the gathers and they will stay in place better.