Irene saved my life (or at least, my participation as a bridesmaid in one of my closest friends' wedding).
I had another tailor take my measurements and called them into the company that produced the bridesmaid dresses. When they sent me the dress, in a size that normally fits me with no trouble - NOT TO MENTION they had recommended it based on my measurements - I found that I was unable to zip it up all the way. Not good, not good at all.
Bridesmaid dresses are not made with a ton of extra material, which is why they often tell you to order a larger size and get the dress taken in, rather than risk getting a dress that's too small - there's not much fabric available to let out. And this dress was silk with a chiffon overlay; quite expensive and not exactly basic.
I took the dress to a tailor who said he could not help me. As I began to panic, he must have seen the desperation on my face and quickly recommended that I take the dress to Irene.
I left the dress with Irene, and I don't know what kind of miracle she worked, but she found just enough fabric in the seams to get the dress to zip all the way. She charged $50 (cash only), which I thought was more than fair.
I've also had her shorten a dress for me, and it turned out very well.