I think we've all fallen prey to the bunching tactic at one point or another in our lives... you have positively no reason at all to be ashamed :) On the contrary, it turned out great! If you tuck the top of the uppermost ruffle into the waistband next time it works well to give a smooth silhouette (of course that's easier with thinner fabrics).

And I share your deep and abiding love of covered buttons... you should see the insane contraption we ended up getting for those. It's practically a Mediaeval torture tool!