Heh. Thank you for the explanation, and my apologies for my lack of clarity earlier. On rereading I realized that I phrased the question exceedingly badly. (Yes, clear evidence that English is not my native tongue!) How I meant that question was whether the French knots forming the flowers were raised, and if so if it was because they were overlaid over a flatter supporting stitch, or raised on their own. If I understand correctly they are sufficiently raised on their own that they're set in the fabric just like the flatter stitches. It's amazing that you can essentially "sculpt" in 3D using embroidery thread.