Yay! A new crafter!
Out of the ones you posted, I would suggest the Singer 2273. Looks like it has a few more options than the Singer 1512 Promise. Singer is a wonderful brand, so the machine itself, you probably can't go wrong.
If you are juts getting started, either of those should do fine. I don't suggest breaking the bank on your 1st machine.. Although, for the same price as the Singer 2273, the Brother XS37 looks like it has more options and would be wonderful for your costume makings.
I have a Brother 17 stitch, and it has impressed me for the price. I have been making custom costumes lately, putting quite a few miles on the machine. I have put it through a lot of different materials, and layers upon layers of fabric. It has done extremely well.
Check it out:
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LoginIf you will be sewing with various materials, your thread tension will be the MOST IMPORTANT aspect of your machine. Too tight, and it will bunch up all of your material.. Too loose, and it will jam up the bobbin case (underneath), causing an annoying struggle to get all of the excess thread out.
Well, I hope this has helped, and not just made things more confusing.. :P
Best of luck to you!