Wayne, yes, the skirt would look like an x from above. The tapering effect, therefore, would be gradually from the ends of the 'x' toward the intersection, where it would be thinnest.
I'm not sure I would go with the tapered legs in your sketch. IMHO, the taper would either be so slight (given the short height of the legs, as to be unnoticeable, or it would be so steep that the legs would look heavy (clunky) at the top. Just my opinion, if you're going to taper, make it slight.
It sounds like an interesting piece. Be sure to post pics when finished.
Joe C.