Cream lace wedding gown with corded floral motifs

A cream lace wedding gown with corded floral motifs created by Annie Hauer in 1895. The bodice (a) is made of cotton point d'esprit lace and has a high band collar. The collar is sewn to the neckline at the proper right side and slightly on the back. It attaches with hooks and eyes at the front, proper right side and at the center back. A band of silk satin binding is stitched to the edge of the neckline and collar. The bodice opens at the center front, a band of floral lace trim is added to each side of the opening. Large flowers made of silk organza edged with cream cotton cord are stitched to the front of the bodice down the outer length of the sleeves. The large bell sleeves are edged with featherstitch embroidery and the inner sleeve seam is ruched at the bottom. A band of ruched synthetic organza is added to the top of the sleeve close to the shoulder as a later addition. A band of pleated cream silk is sewn to the bottom of the bodice at the waistline. Cream silk satin is visible at the sides of the bodice underneath the lace. Large flowers made of silk organza edged with cream cotton cord are stitched to the center back of the bodice overtop of the point d'esprit lace. Cream silk satin is stitched under the lace starting five inches below the neckline. The band of pleated cream silk continues onto the back of the bodice ending at a decorative gathered flounce at the back slightly off center. The bottom two thirds of the bodice are lined in cream silk satin and cotton. Ten pieces of boning made of featherbone wrapped in cotton thread are set into the cotton lining. Two metal hooks are stitched to the interior of the bodice at the center back. The bodice closes with ten hooks and eyes on the cotton lining and one hook and eye on the silk satin. The top of the bodice is lined with synthetic net and the sleeves are lined with synthetic organza both were a later addition. The bodice is machine stitched, and hand finished while the interior bodice is completely handstitched.