A propulsive engine rotor configured for operation within a gas turbine includes a plurality of spaced airfoil blades circumferentially affixed to an outer hoop-style rim. At least two of the airfoil blades have an integral root configured to extend either through or at least radially inwardly from the rim. A woven fiber system provides that the blade roots are interdigitally wrapped by a plurality of woven fibers before impregnation and/or encapsulation of the fibers and wrapped roots within a ceramic or other composite matrix material to form a composite ring. The composite ring defines the interior body of the rotor, includes a bore through which passes the rotational axis of the rotor, and has a lower mass than the rotor rim. The woven fiber interface between the roots increases the tensile load capacity of the airfoil blades relative to the composite ring, and increases the self-sustaining radius of the rotor.