Quote - Doesn't parenting the prop to the figure before the simulation negate any benefits of shrinking or growing the figure because the prop will shrink or grow with the parent? I know I've had that happen to me before. I've always waited to parent the finished simulation to the figure.

No, it won't negate the effects. In fact it creates a very smooth stretch. When the cloth is "clothified" it seems to stay the size that it starts with on the first frame of the simulation, and is then forced to stretch if the figure grows, or to drape if the figure shrinks.