Discrete items are conveyed, preferably by a vacuum conveyor, in a machine direction toward a pair of rotating blades. A first intended target of folding, for instance a right portion of front and back panels of a diaper, travels up a ramp, raising the level of the intended target. A rotating blade passes under the intended target of folding, and folds the right portion of front and back panels of a diaper over. If desired, a second intended target of folding, for instance a left portion of front and back panels of a diaper, travels up a second ramp, raising the level of the intended target. A rotating blade passes under the second intended target of folding, and folds the left portion of front and back panels of a diaper over. The folded diaper then exits the folding system and travels downstream for further processing as desired.