Apparatus and methods are provided for folding discrete items (18), including diapers, at high speeds. Discrete items (18) are conveyed in a machine direction via a feed conveyor (20) toward first and second engaging members (22, 24). A folding finger (36) oriented in a cross-machine direction is translated in the machine direction to contact a folding location of the item (18). The first engaging member (22) carries a first side of a leading portion of the item (18) and rotates the leading portion in a first rotational direction, before releasing the first side of the leading portion after the item (18) contacts the folding finger (36). Second engaging member (24) carries a second side of the item (18) and rotates the item (18) in the first rotational direction. The second side of the leading portion is released from the second engaging member (24) to fold the leading portion of the item (18) onto a trailing portion of the item (18).
