Shaped or layered ceramic composite and method of making it

A ceramic matrix composite article having a varying thickness is fabricated by a process wherein multiple prepreg sheets comprising reinforcing fibers and powdered matrix material are stacked to provide a multi-layer prepreg stack wherein, through each cross-sectional dimension perpendicular to the plane of the sheets, the number of prepreg sheets contributing to the aggregate sheet thickness of the stack varies in proportion to the relative thickness desired in the layered article. The stack may consolidated to a composite article with a smoothly varying thickness profile without undue fiber breakage or ply wrinkling in the composite structure. consolidated into a composite article having a smoothly varying thickness profile with reduced internal fiber bowing or breakage. Preferably, the exterior surfaces of the article comprise long, substantially continuous fibers and are free of ply drops.