A method includes moving an absorbent composite in a machine direction, severing the composite at a first cut oriented in a direction that is non-parallel and non-perpendicular with the machine direction, severing the composite at a second cut oriented in a direction that is non-parallel and non-perpendicular with the machine direction, severing the composite at a third cut oriented in a direction that is perpendicular to the machine direction, and separating the composite along the first cut, the second cut, and the third cut into discrete absorbent articles.