A novel composite microtubing with variable stiffness over the length of the tubing and continuous process for manufacturing the same is provided. By removing portions of one or more selected layers of the composite microtubing, varying the pick count of a braided layer, and changing the diameter over the length of the microtubing, the stiffness of the microtubing may be varied by a factor of 100 from proximal end to distal end. The continuous process allows a predetermined stiffness pattern to be repeated over a measured length for economical manufacture and results, if desired, in tubing of extremely small diameter and extremely thin tube walls.