When I'm sewing something that has many seams meeting in the center I usually stop & back stitch 1/4 inch from the center on all the seams except the final one where you sew the 2 halves together. Also, I do the swirly seams except for that last one which I press open.
It will sound odd, but starch and a hammer might solve your "witches hat" in the center. Pounding seams is actually normal for clothing. Denim often has to be pounded.