Plum Sheath Dress with Lace Shoulders

UPDATE: See the dress in action, here.

This weekend I finished this dress, and I couldn't be happier with the result! I love the plum color, and I was excited to find a plum lace to use on the shoulders. This dress looks so professional-- like a professional made it, and professional-looking for work. I'm so proud. I used Butterick 5520. I loved the drawing on the envelope, and it was such a delight to make that I'm already planning my next version.

I did have to make some modifications because I didn't use a lining. So, I finished all of the inside seams with french seams, hem tape, or zig-zag. I also had to draft my own neck facing. It looks great inside! I think this inside really does look as good as the outside (excited squeal)! Here are some gratuitous shots of the inside:
Hem with pink hem tape:
Self-drafted facing with fancy stitches to tack it down:
Using a dress form really helped with the fitting, which is why the finished dress fits like a glove. I don't know how I worked without my dress form--Formy. (Thanks, mom, for suggesting that I get one.)